It would appear that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has, in fact, failed his UFC 214 drug test. The fighter recently had been flagged for failing his A sample test from USADA. However, it has now been reported that the fighter has failed his B sample test as well.
“The B sample of UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ failed drug test from July 28 in Anaheim has confirmed the presence of a banned substance.
Multiple sources informed ESPN of the development on Tuesday. Last month, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed Jones he’d tested positive for Turinabol, an anabolic steroid, on July 28. Jones has been notified of the B sample’s confirmation, per sources.
Jones (23-1), who reclaimed his UFC title by knocking out Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, has denied knowingly taking a banned substance. His team is currently investigating how the steroid entered his system.
It is normal for an athlete to request the results of a B sample under these circumstances. It is rare, however, that a B sample negates a positive test. Jones’ investigation into the possibility of tainted supplements is most important to his defense at this time.
The result of Jones’ win against Cormier is likely to be changed to a no-contest, although the California State Athletic Commission has not yet made that change. The UFC did not immediately strip Jones of his title and has not commented on the status of the division.
This is the second failed drug test of Jones’ career. The UFC was forced to pull him from a championship bout in July 2016, after he tested positive for multiple anti-estrogenic agents. Jones later told USADA the substances came from a contaminated sexual enhancement pill. He was suspended one year for negligence.
Per the UFC’s anti-doping program, Jones faces a maximum suspension of four years for a second offense. Technically, he potentially faces sanctions from two different bodies: CSAC and USADA. It’s possible, however, USADA will simply mirror CSAC’s ruling. Jones reserves the right to appeal under both agencies.
According to CSAC, Jones passed multiple out-of-competition tests leading up to his victory at UFC 214. The failed urine test was administered by USADA on July 28, one day before the bout. Jones then passed a blood test on July 29. That blood test does not significantly aide Jones’s case, however, as blood tests do not test for Turinabol.
Going into his rivalry bout with Cormier in July, Jones adamantly denied using performance-enhancing drugs. He referred to Cormier’s suggestions to the contrary as, “one of the most insulting things you can do to a guy who’s accomplished the things I’ve accomplished.”
Widely considered the greatest fighter of all time, Jones has endured a tumultuous three-year span. The UFC stripped him of his title in 2015, after he was arrested on hit-and-run charges in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He remains the only champion ever stripped of a title due to disciplinary reasons. Last weekend, Jones wrote a short post on social media via Twitter: “You gotta live with tomorrow despite how you’re feeling today.”
This article was brought to you by ESPN.
