As noted, USADA issued a one-year suspension to former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones as a result of his positive drug test result for his scheduled fight against Daniel Cormier at UFC 200.
UFC issued the following statement regarding the USADA ruling on Jones on Monday afternoon:
“UFC is aware of the one-year sanction levied against Jon Jones as a result of his UFC Anti-Doping Policy violation, decided by a three-person arbitration panel held on Monday, October 31, 2016. UFC has been advised that the one-year suspension commenced on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. While the decision indicates no evidence of Jones’ intentional use of banned substances, it does highlight the care and diligence that is required by athletes competing in the UFC to ensure that no prohibited substances enter their system.”
Jones, who would go on to be pulled from the July fight card in Las Vegas, Nevada, issued his own statement as well. Below, via his Public Relations person Denise White, is “Bones” Jones’ statement regarding the USADA ruling of a one-year suspension:
“Although I was hopeful for a better outcome in the USADA ruling today, I am very respectful of the process in which they allowed me to defend myself. I have always maintained my innocence and I am very happy I have been cleared in any wrong doing pursuant to the allegations made that I had intentionally taken a banned substance. I am pleased that in USADA’s investigation they determined I was “not a cheater of the sport”. Being cleared of these allegations was very important to me. I have worked hard in and outside of the octagon to regain my image and my fighting career and will take these next eight months to continue my training and personal growth both as a man and a athlete. Thank you to all of my fans, teammates, coaches, sponsors and to the UFC for their continued support.”
