UFC President Dana White reacts to Jon Jones being flagged by USADA
This weekend’s Conor McGregor vs Floyd Mayweather super fight took a backseat today when news broke that current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones had been flagged by USADA for a potential anti-doping violation.
The Anti-Doping Policy violation stemmed from an in-competition sample collected following Jones’ weigh-in on July 28, 2017.
Jon Jones had recently defeated Daniel Cormier on July 29 at UFC 214 via third-round knockout to capture the UFC light heavyweight crown.
Shortly following the news, which was first reported by TMZ Sports, the UFC issued the following statement.
“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Jon Jones of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an in-competition sample collected following his weigh-in on July 28, 2017.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Jones, as it relates to the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and future UFC participation. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) also retains jurisdiction over this matter as the sample collection was performed the day before Jones’ bout at UFC 214 in Anaheim, CA, and USADA will work to ensure that the CSAC has the necessary information to determine its proper judgment of Jones’ potential anti-doping violation.
Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
As of this time Jon Jones has not been stripped of his UFC Light Heavyweight championship.
“Bones” camp did issue a statement on the potential anti-doping policy violation which you can read here.
Shortly after the Jones camp had released their statement, former light heavyweight champ Daniel shared his reaction with MMAFighting. (See that here)
Most recently, UFC President Dana White commented on the terrible news by stating the following:
.@DanaWhite: "I don't know what to say. I always know what to say. I don't know what to say… We have until it plays out with USADA."
— UFC (@ufc) August 23, 2017
“I don’t know what to say. I always know what to say. I don’t know what to say… We have until it plays out with USADA.” – Dana White (August 22 @ 7:30pm cst)
