'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What’s the story?
ESPN has broken the news that the B sample of Jon 'Bones' Jones failed drug test, taken the day before his UFC 214 clash with Daniel Cormier, also contains a banned substance.
In case you didn’t know…
Jones is one of the greatest MMA fighters in history, he won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in March 2011 at the age of 23, becoming the youngest champion in UFC history.
He currently holds multiple records in the light heavyweight division, including the most successful and consecutive title defences, the most wins, the longest win streak and the most submission victories.
However, he has seen his time at the top marred by multiple failed drug tests.
He was pulled from all UFC rankings after testing positive for a banned substance three days before he was due to defend his title against Anthony Johnson at UFC 187.
He then subsequently pulled out of UFC 200 after he tested positive for anti-estrogen. He claimed the positive tests were a result of a contaminated sexual enhancement pill. Jones served a one-year suspension.
The heart of the matter
USADA (United States Anti Doping Agency) informed Jones that his sample collected prior to UFC 214 contained a banned substance, later revealed to be the steroid Turinabol. ESPN have stated that Jones has been notified of the result of the B sample.
UFC have not stated what the fallout from the positives will be, however, it is expected that Jones' win over Cormier will be changed to a no-contest and he will be stripped of his light heavyweight title.
With Jones having already served one suspension, the maximum he can be banned for on this occasion would be four years. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), who sanctioned the fight, and the USADA can both punish him but, according to ESPN, the USADA will duplicate whatever the CSAC ruling is.
What’s next?
Jones' future is now out of his hands, depending on the CASC ruling, he may be able to return to active competition, although whether UFC will take a chance on him remains to be seen.
Author’s take
Jon Jones' story should serve as a cautionary tale for any up and coming MMA fighters, blessed with amazing ability, repeated errors of judgement have seen his fall from grace almost as meteoric as his ascent.
Jones may now find many doors closed to him, lucrative endorsements have been dropped, the UFC may not welcome a two-time USADA failure back. Should they do so, it is likely he will have to fight several times to prove he is clean before a return to top billing.
