eFightNews.com is reporting that Jon Jones has entered a drug rehab facility after failing a drug test before UFC 182. Jones announced the news on Tuesday, days after he defeated Daniel Cormier at UFC 182. He tested positive in a random drug test given on December 4th by the NSAC for benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite in cocaine.
Benzoylecgonine is not banned out of competition and the NSAC was unable to penalize him or stop him from fighting. In a follow-up test later in the month, Jones tested negative.
Jones issued a statement to Yahoo! Sports through his attorney that read, “With the support of my family, I have entered into a drug treatment facility. I want to apologize to my fiancée, my children, as well as my mother, father, and brothers for the mistake that I made. I also want to apologize to the UFC, my coaches, my sponsors and equally important to my fans. I am taking this treatment program very seriously. Therefore, at this time my family and I would appreciate privacy.”
The UFC has released a statement as well, which said, “We support UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ decision to enter a drug treatment facility to address his recent issue. While we are disappointed in the failed test, we applaud him for making this decision to enter a drug treatment facility. Jon is a strong, courageous fighter inside the Octagon, and we expect him to fight this issue with the same poise and diligence. We commend him on his decision, and look forward to him emerging from this program a better man as a result.”
Dana White also added in his own statement, “I am proud of Jon Jones for making the decision to enter a drug treatment facility. I’m confident that he’ll emerge from this program like the champion he truly is.”
According to NSAC chairman Francisco Aguilar, the commission will discuss out-of-competition drug tests at its next meeting. That discussion will include whether they should split from the World Anti-Doping Agency’s policy in situations like this. Aguilar said of Jones’ decision, “I am pleased that Mr. Jones is addressing this issue and seeking help for his problem.”
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The following is an article from MMAJunkie.com:
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones failed a drug test prior to this past weekend’s UFC 182 event due to cocaine metabolites and has entered rehab.
MMAjunkie today confirmed the test results with Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Bob Bennett.
Jones (21-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) successfully defended his title for an eighth consecutive time after defeating Daniel Cormier (15-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) via unanimous decision at the Jan. 3 pay-per-view event. He was randomly tested on Dec. 3, and results came back on Dec. 23, Bennett said.
The drug test detected benzoylecgonine, a primary metabolite of cocaine.
“At this point and time, Jones checked himself into a rehab center, and we’ll cross that bridge when he get to it,” Bennett told MMAjunkie when asked of the NSAC’s plans in wake of the failed test.
Because benzoylecgonine is not banned out of competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency, the NSAC could not halt Jones from fighting at UFC 182, which proved to be one of the biggest events in recent MMA history.
Jones is ranked No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA light-heavyweight rankings, and he’s also No. 1 pound-for-pound. Despite being just 27, the fighter’s four-year title reign has already sparked debate that he’s the greatest fighter in MMA history.
Following news of the failed test, the UFC issued the following statement:
We support UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ decision to enter a drug treatment facility to address his recent issue. While we are disappointed in the failed test, we applaud him for making this decision to enter a drug treatment facility. Jon is a strong, courageous fighter inside the octagon, and we expect him to fight this issue with the same poise and diligence. We commend him on his decision, and look forward to him emerging from this program a better man as a result.
The company’s president, Dana White, said he’s “proud” of Jones for entering rehab.
“I am proud of Jon Jones for making the decision to enter a drug treatment facility,” he stated. “I’m confident that he’ll emerge from this program like the champion he truly is.”
Results on the NSAC’s fight-week drug testing aren’t yet available.
