MMA

Jon Jones Given 15-Month Suspension, Free To Return To UFC In October

Sean Ross SappSeptember 20, 2018, 12:06 am

Jon Jones is free to resume his MMA career in six weeks.

The legendary former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion was handed down a 15-month suspension in arbitration in his case with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), according to a report by MMA Fighting’s Marc Raimondi. Jones had failed a July 28, 2017 drug test administered by USADA for a Turinabol metabolite, which is when the suspension is retroactive to. This makes Jones eligible to return on October 28.

An arbitrator stated that there was “no intention” by Jones to cheat, even though an illegal substance was taken. Jones had “provided substantial assistance” to USADA, which had his suspension reduced by 30 months.

Jones commented on the situation on his Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

It’s difficult to express myself at this moment but I can definitely say my heart is filled with gratitude and appreciation. I want to thank all of you who have stood by me during the toughest stretch of my life. It has meant the world to me and always will. But now is the time to shift the focus front and center to the road ahead. Greatness is what I’m chasing and the path to reclaiming my throne is now officially open. Comeback Season begins now

A post shared by Jon Bones Jones (@jonnybones) on Sep 19, 2018 at 5:35pm PDT

Jones could have faced as much as a four-year suspension by USADA, as he had a previous offense in 2016, where he was found to have ingested a banned substance unknowingly, but was still punished for his careless behavior surrounding the situation. The most recent drug test failure, however, resulted in the aforementioned suspension, and his title win over rival Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 overturned to a no-contest. Jones would also be fined $205,000.

UFC 230 on November 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York is currently without a main event, and Jones has been highly speculated to be the target for that show. UFC President Dana White has since come out and denied that claim.iai

Before the suspension last year, Jones had called out former UFC and WWE Champion Brock Lesnar, who looks to be facing new UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier next year.

Iain Kidd also posted another note of interest about the situation.

Something else interesting from the arbitration award:

Jon Jones was still using cocaine both before and after testing positive for Turinabol, per the arbitration award. Was checked into a month long rehab later.

— Iain Kidd (@iainkidd) September 20, 2018

Jones has missed a significant amount of his career due to any number of issues, from hit-and-run car accidents to drug test failures. The 22-1 (1 NC) fighter is still only 31-years old, much younger than a bulk of the UFC’s light heavyweight and heavyweight division.