Jon Jones after UFC-USADA split: ‘I’ve never cheated this sport and I will stand by that until the day I die’
With the announcement the UFC no longer will partner with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Jon Jones wants one of his wins back.
On Wednesday, USADA CEO Travis Tygart revealed the anti-doping partnership with the UFC will conclude Jan. 1, 2024, ending a near decade-long relationship.
UFC heavyweight champion Jones’ (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) career was surrounded with controversy during his light heavyweight title reign. He twice was stripped of his title for failing drug tests around title fights with Daniel Cormier.
Jones’ second win over Cormier at UFC 214 was overturned to a no contest when he tested positive for the anabolic steroid turinabol. His sentence was significantly reduced from four years after he provided “substantial assistance” to USADA. As a result, he received a 15-month sentence. Jones said he did not knowingly take any prohibited substances and that the substances he consumed were tainted. He wants his knockout finish over Cormier turned back to a win.
“Man I survived USADA. First they said I was guilty of having picograms, then they considered me innocent, next picograms became legal. Guess what I’m still here, still unbeaten. That BS no contest over DC needs to be taken off my record. I’ve never cheated this sport and I will stand by that until the Day I die.
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Man I survived USADA. First they said I was guilty of having picograms, then they considered me innocent, next picograms became legal. Guess what I’m still here, still unbeaten. That BS no contest over DC needs to be taken off my record. I’ve never cheated this sport and I will…
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 12, 2023
Jones failed a drug test a for a third time when he tested positive for the same turinabol metabolites prior to his UFC 232 rematch with Alexander Gustafsson. However, USADA determined they were trace amounts in the form of picograms incapable of giving Jones a competitive advantage.
In a later deleted tweet, Jones wanted to clarify that his lifestyle choices have nothing to do with the accusation that he’s a steroid cheat.
“Yeah, I became the youngest champion in the sport’s history. Probably the youngest millionaire in the sport’s history. Unfortunately, I didn’t handle it correctly and became a bit of a party boy. Definitely doesn’t qualify me to be a steroid cheat. You know nothing about being a star athlete.”
Jones defends his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in the UFC 295 headliner Nov. 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.
