Traces of M3 metabolite detected in two Jon Jones drug tests ahead of UFC 235

A pair of Jon Jones drug tests, administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) ahead of his UFC 235 fight with Anthony Smith, have once again detected traces of the M3 metabolite, a component of oral turinabol.

John Morgan of MMAjunkie reported this development on Twitter on Thursday afternoon.

As Morgan explains, this metabolite was detected in quantities of 40 picograms/mL or less. The NSAC assures there is “no scientific or medical evidence that the athlete would have an unfair advantage leading up to, or for, his contest scheduled on March 2, 2019.”

In other words, this has no bearing on the champion’s UFC 235 fight with Anthony Smith.

It’s also worth noting that three other Jones drug tests administered in the same timeframe came back clean.

To remind, this is the same substance that appeared in several Jon Jones drug tests ahead of his UFC 232 fight with Alexander Gustafsson. This development caused the NSAC to deny Jones a license, which prompted the UFC to move the entire UFC 232 card from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on one weeks’ notice.

Having investigated Jones’ case more thoroughly since then, the NSAC has adopted the initial viewpoint of the California commission — that the amounts of the metabolite detected in the fighter’s system are not significant enough to enhance performance, and that these traces are likely the result of his previous ingestion of a banned substance, rather than his more recent ingestion. The so-called “pulsing” effect that we’ve heard so much about.

Stay tuned for further updates on this Jon Jones situation as they emerge.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 2/28/2019.