If this is true, we’ve likely seen the last of a fighter who was known as the greatest of his time…and it could’ve all been a sham.
Jon Jones, fresh off a legendary UFC 214 KO title-victory over Daniel Cormier, appears to have tested positive for performance-enhancing steroids…again.
TMZ has the details:
Jon Jones has tested positive for steroids in his UFC 214 victory over Daniel Cormier, and he has been stripped of his title … TMZ Sports has learned.
Our sources tell us … Jones tested positive for Turinabol — an anabolic steroid.
Jones won the July 29 fight — taking the UFC light heavyweight belt from Cormier with a savage head kick followed by a barrage of punishing punches to Cormier’s head.
The title now goes back to Cormier.
It’s the second time Jones has failed a USADA drug test. He tested positive for banned substances in 2016 before UFC 200 and was pulled from the main event. Jones got socked with a 1 year ban.
UFC president Dana White also has confirmed the test results:
Breaking: Dana White confirmed that Jon Jones failed a drug test at UFC 214. (via @bokamotoESPN) pic.twitter.com/uRl7vbda1k
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 23, 2017
If the test holds up (and it looks like it will), Jones could be looking at 4-year ban this time, but the shame & stigma of being a dirty, doping fighter who basically cheated his way to the top could leave Jones out of the UFC permanently.
This is the second USADA violation for Jones. The first time he failed a drug test, he blamed it on an ingredient in a sex pill.
This could be an incredibly tragic end to one of the brightest stars in UFC history, and after yet ANOTHER PED issue, Jones’ dominate ascent to the top is going to raise many more questions.
Cormier took an earlier loss, then another vicious beating at the hands of Jones, & basically had his stellar career ruined. If this report holds true, had his safety legitimately put at risk competing against a fighter who had unfair chemical advantages.
This is a huge stain for the entire UFC, and I’d be expecting some big changes to be coming down the pike.