UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones tested positive for cocaine a month before defending his title against Daniel Cormier on Jan. 3. A few days after the fight, the test results were revealed and Jones announced he was heading for treatment. However, he left the rehab program after a single night.
Travis Eldridge of WBNG in Binghamton, New York, spoke with his mother, Camille Jones, who said she was happy the UFC star was caught before it became a major issue.
“When he tested positive, my first question was, do you have a problem, a serious problem?” Camille said, per Eldridge. “And then he told me what happened. Jon is usually very honest with me, so he told me what happened. I was like, good for you…good. You needed to be caught, it was just timing.”
She then confirmed he left the rehab facility after one night of treatment before adding Jones was “continuing his education in the program.”
Following the initial announcement of the failed drug test, America’s Pregame passed along comments from Jones. He said he was going to take the treatment seriously:
The UFC also released a statement about his decision to go through rehab:
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.
Based on those remarks, it appeared the champion would undergo a far more extensive process than just one night in the facility. It’s unclear, however, whether Jones continues to receive any outpatient treatment following his exit.
Neither Jones nor the UFC has released any comments since his departure from rehab.
The WBNG report also notes Jones is expected to attend the AFC Championship Game between the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots on Sunday. His brothers, Arthur and Chandler, will face off with each other in that contest.
Further details about his status should become more clear in the days ahead.
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