UFC releases statement on Jon Jones’ one-year suspension

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was issued a one-year sanction by USADA on Monday. Following an arbitration hearing by three arbitrators from McLaren Global Sports Solutions, the decision was made to give Jones his full sanction term of a one-year suspension.

The UFC released a short statement on their website on Monday following the news of Jones’ USADA suspension.

“UFC is aware of the one-year sanction levied against Jon Jones as a result of his UFC Anti-Doping Policy violation, decided by a three-person arbitration panel held on Monday, October 31, 2016. UFC has been advised that the one-year suspension commenced on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. While the decision indicates no evidence of Jones’ intentional use of banned substances, it does highlight the care and diligence that is required by athletes competing in the UFC to ensure that no prohibited substances enter their system.”

Jon Jones was scheduled to fight UFC light heavyweight champion, Daniel Cormier at UFC 200 but was pulled from the card after it was revealed that Jones had been flagged for a potential Anti-Doping violation. It was later revealed that Jones tested positive for the banned substances clomiphene and letrozole.

In a report from MMA Fighting, Jones blamed his positive test on a tainted sexual performance pill. The pill in question was tested by USADA and was confirmed to be tainted by test results. However, the arbitrators in the hearing stated that Jones failed to do his research on finding out if anything in the pill was on the UFC’s anti-doping policy and the WADA Code.

According to the sanction given by USADA, Jon Jones will be eligible to return to competition in July 2017. Jones last fought Ovince St. Preux to win the UFC interim light heavyweight title at UFC 197 back in April.