UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, who retained over Daniel Cormier at UFC 182 on Saturday night, failed his pre-fight drug test. He reportedly tested positive for cocaine metabolites and has entered rehab.
The drug test results came back on December 23rd and had traces of benzoylecgonine, a primary metabolite of cocaine.
Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Bob Bennett confirmed to MMAJunkie.com that Jones checked himself into rehab.
UPDATE…
Some new details have come to light regarding the situation.
According to MMA Junkie, Jones took a random drug test on December 3rd which came back positive on December 23rd. While the result came back almost two weeks before the fight, it doesn’t appear that the UFC 182 decision will be overturned. Jones tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a primary metabolite of cocaine, but it isn’t banned out of competition by the World Anti Doping Agency.
UFC President Dana White also weighed in on the matter, offering the following statement:
“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.”
The UFC itself also offered a statement, issuing the following:
“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.”
As of now, the state of the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship is unknown. It doesn’t appear that Jones will face a suspension as of now, which is particularly troubling considering punishments within the state for diuretics and marijuana.
