Jones’ management: USADA does a very good job

Jon Jone beat then light heavyweight Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 on July 29, 2017, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Afterward Jones again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, testing positive for metabolites of oral Turinabol, a banned performance enhancer. He was immediately provisionally suspended by the California State Athletic Commission and USADA until a full investigation could be completed.

Jones has maintained his innocence, denying he knowingly took the banned substance. And the test results is baffling – given the window in which Jones took them, the length Turinabol stays in the body, and the certain test fight day, it was a guaranteed failure. However, late in February the CSAC levied a stiff penalty pending the results of USADA’s investigation into the matter; Jones’ fight license was revoked and he was fined $205,000. Jones can reapply in August 2018, but CSAC won’t accept an application until his USADA hearing is complete and he serves whatever punishment USADA metes out.

USADA has yet to complete its investigation, but during a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, Abe Kawa, who is part of Jones’ management team expressed the hope that the decision would come soon.

It’s complicated, said Kawa, as transcribed by Marc Raimondi for MMA Fighting. USADA does a very good job. People are banging on them and hating on them. There’s things I do not agree with with USADA. I’ve told them behind closed doors things I don’t agree with. But USADA does a very good job. They’ve done a very good job cleaning up the sport. It’s imperative that they get this right. It’s imperative that they get this case right, because of who Jon is. And I think they’re doing the best they can to get it right. With that being said, I’m confident that we will have a decision soon. I just don’t want to put a date on it and say, it’s gonna come down at this time, it’s gonna come at that time.

There is a decision coming and it’s hopefully sooner rather than later.”

Jones is in a good place. He’s anxious to get back more than anything. People you say you get that itch — he’s got an itch, man. It’s bad. I actually feel bad for the next guy that fights him. I really do. Not saying he’s going to take it all out on him. But he’s sharpening his tools to where you thought he was good before, wait until you see him now.

When he saw GSP do what he did, it actually lit a fire under him. He said, ‘Man, you know what, if he can do that after four years, why can’t I? Why can’t I go out there and do that?’ Or whatever it might be. So, Jon, never once did he say, ‘I’m gonna quit, I don’t want to do this anymore.’

Jones theoretically faces a four-year suspension as a second-time offender. However, suspensions typically double each time, and Jones first suspension was for a year, due to his reduced fault, so two years is what Jones is likely looking at, if he is again found to have reduced fault. Otherwise three years is likely.

Kawa said a fight vs. the winner of Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 on July 7 is the “dream scenario.” truth is, 2019 would be lucky.