The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) officially suspended Jon Jones for one year Monday after he tested positive for two banned substances prior to his UFC 200 clash with Daniel Cormier in July, according to MMA Fighting’s Marc Raimondi. The UFC ultimately pulled Jones from the fight and replaced him with Anderson Silva.
The suspension is retroactive to Jones’ positive test, so he’ll be eligible to fight again in July 2017.
Fox Sports’ Damon Martin reported Jones was flagged for hydroxy-clomiphene and a Letrozole metabolite. Martin explained the benefit the drugs provided to an athlete:
Anti-estrogen drugs are typically used in doping to counteract the effects of another illegal substance such as steroids. Steroids or other similar substances that introduce extra testosterone in the human body, which then produces additional estrogen as a natural result. Additional estrogen can result in fat retention or potentially lead to gynecomastia, which is breast growth in men.
ESPN.com’s Brett Okamoto wrote that Jones’ lawyer attempted to argue the 29-year-old believed he was taking Cialis, a male enhancement pill, which he received from teammate Eric Blasich. Instead, Blasich had given Jones a different pill that contained substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The arbitrators who evaluated Jones’ appeal ruled that the fighter didn’t intend to cheat but was instead reckless.
Jones’ rematch with Cormier was one of the most highly anticipated bouts of the year. The arbitrators who looked at Jones’ case estimated the former champion lost roughly $9 million as a result of getting pulled off the UFC 200 card and the ensuing consequences, per Okamoto.
In addition to his USADA suspension, Jones could face retroactive punishment from the Nevada State Athletic Commission stemming from the positive test. Citing the Silva case, Okamoto speculated Jones could receive another one-year suspension from the NSAC in line with USADA‘s ruling.
In August 2015, the NSAC suspended Silva for one year after he tested positive for Drostanolone and Androstane prior to and after his fight with Nick Diaz at UFC 183 in January 2015.
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