Jon Jones Failed a Drug Test, Could Be Suspended for Years

TMZ reported that Jon Jones failed a drug test for his UFC 214 victory over Daniel Cormier, where he won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.

Jones tested positive for Turinabol, an anabolic steroid, in a drug test that was administered the day before the fight.

MMA Fighting says that testing positive for Turinabol carries a two year suspension and longer for multiple offenders. Jones also tested positive for a banned substance in 2016 prior to a UFC 200 fight with Cormier, and was suspended for one year. TMZ speculates that Jones could be suspended for up to four years. His title victory could be reversed and the belt would go back to Cormier.

Obviously, this affects the much-hyped potential match between Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar. There was a lot of talk that it would probably happen some time next year, with Lesnar coming out of retirement. This could also affect whether or not Lesnar re-signs with WWE when his contract expires after WrestleMania in April.

The UFC released a statement:

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.

Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.

Daniel says the only reason I defeated him the first time is because I must have been on steroids, wonder what his excuse will be this time pic.twitter.com/HMCFQBoBR4

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 21, 2017