(“I’m deeply saddened by this whole situation. I’ll be honest, though … that beard trimmer I bought yesterday was more expensive than this fine.”/Photo via Getty)
The UFC announced via its website today that current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been fined $25,000 for violating the promotion’s Athlete Code of Conduct policy.
Jones, who defeated Daniel Cormier at UFC 182 on Jan. 3, 2015, failed an out-of-competition drug test administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Dec. 4, 2014, testing positive for cocaine metabolites.
The UFC had this to say about the fine (via UFC.com):
“The UFC announced today that it has fined light heavyweight champion Jon Jones $25,000 for violating the organization’s Athlete Code of Conduct policy. Jones tested positive for cocaine during an out-of-competition drug test conducted by the Nevada Athletic Commission on Dec. 4, 2014. The $25,000 will be donated to a substance abuse prevention program.
The UFC came to this decision after reviewing the facts surrounding the issue, and after receiving confirmation from the Nevada Athletic Commission that Jones passed all required drug tests following his bout at UFC 182 on Jan. 3.”
The news itself was downright shocking, yet the fact that both the UFC and the NSAC knew about this plenty of time before his eighth-consecutive title defense (Dec. 23, 2014) was disconcerting, and the positive test was only made public on Jan. 6, 2015. But as we know, the show must go on. Jones checked himself into rehab directly after the incident, only to last one night inside the joint before cashing himself out.
There were also rumors of Jones having abnormal T/E ratios and hormone levels, but those worries were taken care of when the NSAC confirmed the samples came back clean.
Also, as per a tweet from MMA Fighting’s Luke Thomas, it should be noted that “Bones” will be fined the 25 grand out of his disclosed $500,000 payout he made from his unanimous decision win over “D.C.” (which tallies at a whopping 5%).
Lastly, for what it’s worth, FOX Sports announced today Jones will be sitting down with Charissa Thompson to “break his silence” on this whole ordeal in a segment airing at 11 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 this upcoming Monday night. Considering FOX is in bed with the UFC, serving as the promotion’s mouthpiece more often than not, it’s hard to believe this is going to be a tell-all interview, and that the reigning champ would be grilled in Bob Costas fashion.
Either way, we’ll keep you posted on it.
– Alex G.