Tag: USADA

Johny Hendricks Reveals USADA Played a Role in Decision to Leave UFC

Johny Hendricks reveals that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) played a role in his decision to leave the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Hendricks is a former UFC welterweight champion. At the height of his career, many viewed Hendricks a deva…

Johny Hendricks reveals that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) played a role in his decision to leave the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Hendricks is a former UFC welterweight champion. At the height of his career, many viewed Hendricks a devastating power puncher, who could fall back on his wrestling at any time. Many believe he […]

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Manager Shoots Down Jon Jones Return At UFC 230

The stage seems to be set for one of MMA’s most anticipated rematches. But all early indications point to a Jon Jones return at November 3’s UFC 230 not happening. Last week Jones was cleared to return to action as early as October 28, 2018, by USADA. His PED-related suspension was greatly discounted for snitching […]

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The stage seems to be set for one of MMA’s most anticipated rematches. But all early indications point to a Jon Jones return at November 3’s UFC 230 not happening.

Last week Jones was cleared to return to action as early as October 28, 2018, by USADA. His PED-related suspension was greatly discounted for snitching on other fighters. The return was a shocking reveal for many fighters in the sport of MMA.

Jones has yet another life in the UFC. The timing of his 15-month suspension with USADA seemed all too curious as well. It gave him just a few days of eligibility before the lucrative UFC 230 pay-per-view from his home state of New York in November. Most predicted he would rematch longtime rival Alexander Gustafsson on the card.

Gustafsson continues to lobby for the bout, but others aren’t so sure. UFC President Dana White claimed Jones would return in early 2019 and now his longtime manager Malki Kawa insists Jones won’t return at UFC 230. Kawa appeared on today’s edition of “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show” (via ESPN’s Greg Rosenstein) to shoot down the possibility of Jones fighting at UFC 230 for the time being:

“Malki Kawa, the manager of former UFC champion Jon Jones, told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani his client likely would not be fighting at UFC 230 in New York in November. The event, taking place at Madison Square Garden, still has yet to announce a main event.”

“Gus” Won’t Give Up

Gustafsson was also on Helwani’s show today.

He agreed that the booking was a no-brainer. It’s also the only fight that makes sense for him in his opinion. The UFC has not yet reached out to him in an effort to book it, however:

UFC 230 is currently without a main event as of this writing. Nate Diaz will make his long-awaited return versus Dustin Poirier at the event. It’s a huge fight, yet the return of New York native “Bones” is the biggest possible spectacle they can book for the card.

We’ve seen and heard White and the UFC do one thing and claiming it would never happen. Is Kawa playing the same game?

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Neutral Arbitrator Hands Jon Jones Additional Punishment

Neutral Arbitrator Hands Jon Jones Additional Punishment upon return.

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A neutral arbitrator has handed Jon Jones an additional punishment. Now the former two-time light heavyweight champion must do three months of community service in addition to the 15-month suspension he received yesterday.

The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) executive director Andy Foster told MMAjunkie that the commission expected an 18-month term. Foster called the punishment “agreeable, in concept” but added the community service to close the gap.

Its unclear at this time when Jones will need to complete his community service by, Foster added.

CSAC’s Initial Ruling

Jones went before the CSAC in Febuarary to answer for his failed drug test at UFC 214 in Anaheim, Califonia. Jones repeatedly claimed that he didn’t knowingly take an oral steroid despite it being found in his system.

But he didn’t dispute the commission’s findings, either. Despite Jones’ best efforts, the commission ruled to revoked his fight license, fined him $205,000, and overturned his win against Cormier. He was stripped of the title for the second time.

Foster added that Jones could re-apply for a new fight license when a concurrent case with USADA concluded.

Considering Jones was looking at a maximum of a four-year suspension for his second anti-doping violation from USADA, a 15-month suspension feels like a massive victory for “Bones” and his team.

Interestingly enough, before Jones headed into arbitration, USADA agreed to reduce his suspension by 30 months in exchange for “substantial assistance” in other potential anti-doping cases that lead to prosecution.

‘Bones’ Can Return Soon

So what all this means is that Jones is essentially free to fight. If you combine the 30-month ‘discount’ he got with another clause for a reduction based on his degree of fault; he now faces a 15-month suspension retroactive to the July 28 date he tested positive.

“The independent arbitrator found that Jon Jones was not intentionally cheating in this case, and while we thought 18 months was the appropriate sanction given the other circumstances of the case, we respect the arbitrator’s decision and believe that justice was served,” USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart said in a statement.

Jones’ suspension officially expires Oct. 28, 2018.

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Daniel Cormier Reacts to Jon Jones’ USADA Ruling

Daniel Cormier reacts to Jon Jones being eligible to return in late October. Jones had been awaiting a decision from the U.S. Anti Doping Agency (USADA) in regards to his second failed drug test for banned substances. “Bones” failed a UFC 2…

Daniel Cormier reacts to Jon Jones being eligible to return in late October. Jones had been awaiting a decision from the U.S. Anti Doping Agency (USADA) in regards to his second failed drug test for banned substances. “Bones” failed a UFC 214 drug test for turinabol. Having been out of action for over one year, […]

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Dana White Responds To Reports Of Jon Jones’ UFC 230 Return

Not so fast. Will Jon Jones be in the main event of UFC 230?

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Now that Jon Jones is free to return to action in October, Dana White speculates on whether or not Jones will be in the main event of UFC 230.

The former two-time light heavyweight champion caught yet another break earlier this evening (Sept. 19, 2018) when an arbitrator ruled Jones would have to serve a 15-month suspension that was handed out by the United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA).

Rumors started to circulate earlier this week regarding Jones possibly being eligible to compete at UFC 230 in Madison Square Garden. Not so fast, says the boss.

White told ESPN Wednesday night that Jones is not targeted to compete on November’s pay-per-view card. UFC 230 is main eventless as of this writing.

Here’s ESPN’s Brett Okamoto confirming what White told him and Dana’s response:

“The arbitrator found that Jones never intentionally or knowingly took ******** and the result of the positive test was the result of a contaminated substance,” White wrote. “The science completely supports that finding. The science doesn’t lie so I look forward to getting him back early next year.”

Ariel Helwani also confirmed the news:

Best-Case Scenario

The news of Jones receiving a 15-month suspension is just about the best-case scenario for Jones, White, and the UFC.

Considering “Bones” was looking at a potential maximum suspension of four years, its safe to say he got off easy this time. Let’s hope this is the last time Jones finds himself caught in this self-destructive cycle.

Jones would love nothing more than to make his return to the octagon in front of his home state, something that previously thought impossible.

UFC 230 takes place Nov. 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. We’ll see if Jones is on it. After all, some things White has said, the opposite did end up being true.

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Jon Jones Issues Statement On Latest UFC Comeback

Jon Jones is eligible to return next month. And now it’s time Jones issues his first statement on that pending return. The sport of MMA is on fire with the deluge of news surrounding Jones’ pending comeback after he was given a 15-month USADA suspension. The MMA world offered their mixed reactions online. One popular UFC […]

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Jon Jones is eligible to return next month. And now it’s time Jones issues his first statement on that pending return.

The sport of MMA is on fire with the deluge of news surrounding Jones’ pending comeback after he was given a 15-month USADA suspension. The MMA world offered their mixed reactions online. One popular UFC champion ripped USADA for their call on Jones’ behalf.

Daniel Cormier offered his own seething assessment of the scenario, taking USADA to task for his own history of being clean.

It’s time to hear from the man himself. Jones issued his own statement on Instagram. He was understandably emotional before saying “comeback season” was underway. Check it out here:

“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.”

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