Last August the latest saga in the life of Jon Jones began, when he failed a drug test after he won his world title back from Daniel Cormier.
For Jones, it’s just another chapter in a hall-of-fame worthy career marred with countless controversy.
Jon Jones has was the youngest champion in UFC history and widely regarded as the best fighter the sport has ever seen. As such, the former champion garnered interest from blue chip sponsors, the likes of Gatorade, Nike, and more.
One by one though, and controversy by controversy, Jon Jones had a fall from grace, and seemingly lost it all.
Multiple run-ins with the law, multiple drug testing failures, and multiple belt strippings later, the latest Jon Jones case in front of the Athletic Commission in California has now concluded.
Many have expected Jon Jones to return to action this year, believing that he did not intentionally ingest the latest performance enhancing drug he got caught with.
The state of California heard his plea today, and decided that the evidence of his innocence was lacking, and as such penalized Jon Jones with the maximum fine of $200,000.00, and a complete revocation of his license to fight.
Unlike in many cases where a suspension is imposed, Jon Jones will have to reapply for a license to fight after his revocation term is up. He will not return to action in 2018, and will not eligible to apply for a license until March of 2019.
In short, they found him guilty of intentional use of performance enhancing drugs.
Notably, USADA can still suspend Jon Jones for up to six years. Today’s hearing with California was just the first step.
The state will allow Jon Jones to reapply for his license, once USADA has decided on his fate.
ESPN provided live updates of today’s hearing:
I’m at the Jon Jones hearing in Anaheim this morning. Jones, his attorney Howard Jacobs and agents Malki and Abe Kawa are in the building, but not present at hearing yet. Starts at top of the hour.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 27, 2018
Executive director's office tells the commission they are seeking a license revocation and 40 percent fine of Jones' purse.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 27, 2018
A license revocation would mean Jones can't fight in California, and can't reapply for a license for one year. The UFC, as well as other states, are expected to honor that, so it would essentially be one year suspension from date of revocation. https://t.co/5g2FHMs7ql
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 27, 2018
They are now questioning anti-doping expert Paul Scott, who infamously showed up to Anderson Silva's NSAC hearing with no documents, no findings, and when asked where they were, said "on my computer." Lol. I will never forget that.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 27, 2018
The hearing thus far, in a nutshell. https://t.co/kHGRNZf1ei
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 27, 2018
Commission asks Jones' doping expert, Paul Scott, how much he's being paid hourly to be here. He responds $395/hour. I can't see how that question being asked is a good sign for the defense.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 27, 2018
CSAC commissioner Martha Shen-Urquidez cross-examinating Jon Jones pretty hard right now. Got Jones to admit his management signed docs for him, stating he reviewed USADA instructionals. Now asking about the polygraph he submitted.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/bokamotoESPN/status/968579798095167488
Just personally, I'm maxed out on talking about Jones' character at this point. Let's get a ruling on this doping suspension. I get it, these questions are indirectly relevant, and Jones is responsible for everything he's done in life, but we're good at this point.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 27, 2018
The problem is, Jones hasn't produced any reasonable defense for the steroid in his system. Which makes things like his past, more applicable I guess. If he can't account for that substance, this is what it looks like.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 27, 2018
Howard Jacobs finally offers (a bit) of clarity on WHEN the license revocation is applicable. He says by his understanding Jones could come back sometime in August. So, he's saying the license was already revoked last August. I'll find out if CSAC agrees, if they vote that way.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 27, 2018
A replay of today’s hearing is in below:
Jones https://t.co/TCYZGrFUDv
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 27, 2018
