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Jon Jones, Brock Lesnar could face shorter suspensions for failed drug tests

Jon Jones
Jon Jones’ USADA suspension could be just for one year. (AP)

What was expected to be possible two-year suspensions for Brock Lesnar and Jon Jones after failing drug tests last month will be shortened, according to MMA Fighting.

Instead of facing 24 months away from the Octagon, both fighters could face as little as a public warning and as much as a year suspension. This comes due to a World Anti-Doping Agency code that lists hydroxy-clomiphene and letrozole – the substances that both Jones and Lesnar tested positive for – as “specified substances,” which are recognized as substances that can enter the body inadvertently. Because of this, there is more flexibility in levying a sanctioning decision.

“There is a greater likelihood that these [specified] substances could be susceptible to a credible non-doping explanation,” WADA code states.

Jones was pulled from the UFC 200 main event against Daniel Cormier three days before the fight after failing an out-of-competition test on June 16. Lesnar failed a pair of tests, an out-of-competition test on June 28 and an in-competition test on July 9, but the results from the out-of-competition test didn’t arrive in time to prevent him from competing against Mark Hunt. He would win that fight by unanimous decision after being away from the UFC for over four years.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency has yet to announce what sanctions will be imposed on Lesnar and Jones. They could also face additional suspensions and fines by the Nevada Athletic Commission, who levied temporary suspensions of both fighters recently.

It is important to note that USADA and the NAC can apply totally different punishments for both fighters, as neither organization has to follow whatever decision the other makes.