Jon Jones notified of potential anti-doping violation

The trashy but reliable TMZ first reporting that Jon Jones tested positive for PEDs at UFC 214 and has been stripped of his UFC light heavyweight championship, again. The drug in question was reportedly 4-chlorodehydromethyltestosterone, known popularly as Turinabol, an anabolic steroid.

The news was confirmed by the UFC in an official statement on their website:

The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Jon Jones of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an in-competition sample collected following his weigh-in on July 28, 2017.

USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Jones, as it relates to the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and future UFC participation. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) also retains jurisdiction over this matter as the sample collection was performed the day before Jones’ bout at UFC 214 in Anaheim, CA, and USADA will work to ensure that the CSAC has the necessary information to determine its proper judgment of Jones’ potential anti-doping violation.

As noted, the CSAC also has responsibility for the fight; CSAC executive officer Andy Foster gave a statement to MMA Fighting.

The California State Athletic Commission has been made aware of Jon Jones’ test results and is looking into the matter, said Foster. The Commission takes these matters very seriously and will take any appropriate actions necessary after a thorough review of the situation. As with all fighters, Mr. Jones is entitled to due process and the Commission will work with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to get all of the proper information.

Jones’ manager Malki Kawa released a brief statement:

We are all at a complete loss for words right now. Jon, his trainers, his nutritionists and his entire camp have worked tirelessly and meticulously the past 12 months to avoid this exact situation. We are having the samples tested again to determine the validity or source of contamination. Jon is crushed by this news and we are doing whatever we can as a team, to support him.

Cormier as well released a brief statement, exclusively to MMA Fighting.

It’s hard to find words to describe how I’m feeling right now. I’m disappointed to hear the news. It’s very emotional.

We as athletes are entitled to due process, and I will refrain from saying much more until I know exactly what happened.

In my mind, on July 29, I competed and I lost. I thought Jon Jones was the better man that day. I don’t know what to think anymore. I can’t believe we are going through all of this again. We will see what happens next.

Thank you to all my fans who have supported me during this dark time. I love you all very much.

Jones’ last failure was for clomiphene and letrozol, drugs that could be used to restore normal functioning after a course of PEDs. That failure Jones attributed to a tainted, bootleg erective dysfunction drug. It earned him a one-year suspension. If it is determined that Jones knowingly took Turinabol, the penalty could be four years.

Jones last fight was a title winning TKO of Daniel Cormier at UFC 214. If Jones has indeed been stripped of his belt, the title will return to Cormier.

Cormier vs. Jones II Highlights:

This is only the latest is series of personal failings on Jones’s part. UFC president Dana White long ago said that only person who could beat Jon Jones is Jon Jones. And he has.