Dana Defends: Jon Jones Had The Right To Fight D.C.

Last night on FOX Sports 1, UFC President Dana White explained why the UFC allowed Jon Jones to fight following a failed drug test.

“No. No. 1, he was healthy. No. 2, the reason you would stop the fight and the hammer would drop on the guy would be if he tested for performance-enhancing drugs.”

“The other thing people have to understand in this situation. Jon Jones was contracted to fight, and everyone thinks we can just say, ‘the fight’s off, the fight’s not happening.’ He had the right to fight.”

And why wasn’t Daniel Cormier informed of Jon’s failed test?

“He doesn’t need to be. If [Jones] had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, everything would have shut down.”

“This is one of those situations where, it’s so different than if a guy gets busted for performance enhancing drugs. You worry about the person first. Forget about the fighting and the work side of it and you worry about Jon Jones as a person. He got checked into rehab, they’re going to be able to evaluate him, and then we’ll go from there.

“I talked to him yesterday before he went in, and I hope we’ll be able to talk to him again today,” White continued. “He was in a good place going in there and he’s in an even better place today.”

“A couple years ago, if you tested positive for marijuana, fire and brimstone. It was craziness. We followed the lead of the Nevada State [sic] Athletic Commission. That’s what we do. They’re the regulators who set the rules and how its going to go down. Obviously with those whole legalization of marijuana, they’ve become a lot more lenient with that and street drugs.”

“Everything happens for a reason. It’s a great thing that guy made a mistake. It’s a great thing this happened. Who would have known, we would never have known and get him the help he needs.

“In a situation like this, the last thing you’re worried about is his image right now. You’re worrying about getting the guy healthy. He’ll come back. Whether you like him or not, he’s the baddest dude. He’s the pound-for-pound best guy in the world.”

You can watch the full interview with Dana White HERE.