After months of awaiting his sanction, Jon Jones received a reduced suspension of 15-months for his in-competition drug test failure at UFC 214 in July 2017.
An independent arbitrator held a hearing with Jones this past week with the arbitrator ruling that Jones would be handed down a 15-month suspension based on the case put forth by Jones and his team. They noted Jones’ prior tests leading up to UFC 214 that came back clean prior to the pre-fight test that was taken the day before the fight on July 28th, 2017.
Jones’ pre-fight drug test came back positive for metabolite of DHCMT, which is a chlorine-substituted anabolic steroid.
The California State Athletic Commission had previously reversed Jon Jones victory over Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 into a no contest with Jones stripped of the UFC light heavyweight title he won that night. Jones also received a fine of $205,000 and his license was revoked by the commission.
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In the notes from Jones’ hearing, it was noted that Jones “openly admitted to USADA that prior to and for a period of time after the reporting of his second adverse analytical finding on July 28, 2017, the athlete used illicit, so-called ‘street drugs’, including cocaine. The athlete willingly entered into a full-time rehabilitation program which has led to his having a greater understanding that his addiction is an illness.”
This is Jones’ second drug test failure following a previous failed test that forced Jones to be removed from UFC 200 in July 2016. Jones was facing a four-year suspension for a second offense.
Jones turned 31-years old this past July and holds a professional record of 22-1 with 1 no contest. Due to his two suspensions, he has only managed to fight twice since January 2015.
