Breaking! Jon Jones camp issues statement after being flagged by USADA

Terrible news shook the mixed martial arts world earlier this evening when TMZ reported that current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon 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 his 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.

Here is the official statement from the UFC:

“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.

Jones manager and camp released the following statement after being flagged by USADA to MMAFighting.com:

“We are all at a complete loss for words right now. Jon, his trainers, his nutritionists and his entire camp have worked tirelessly and meticulously the past 12 months to avoid this exact situation. We are having the samples tested again to determine the validity or source of contamination. Jon is crushed by this news and we are doing whatever we can as a team, to support him.”