The fate of UFC interim light heavyweight champion Jon Jones remains uncertain after the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) extended his temporary suspension. NSAC issued the decision following the revelation of two banned substances he had been initially found positive with.
Jones tested positive for clomiphene, a substance listed as anti-estrogenic as well as some traces of letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor that prevents the synthesis of androgens, ESPN reported. Both substances are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, substances that can reportedly tandem with performance enhancers.
Jones formal hearing set for September or October
Jon Jones now finds himself in a big mess with his fate likely settled this September or October. Jones will be represented by veteran anti-doping attorney Howard Jacobs. According to MMA Junkie, Jacobs has previously defended fighters like Sean Sherk, Alexander Shlemenko and Tim Means.
Dana White is hands off
UFC president Dana White has distanced himself from the Jones mess, suggesting that “Bones” clean up his act. Obviously fuming, White believes that the future of the 29-year-old is entirely at his hands.
“Listen, I’m not the biggest Jon Jones fan right now, but I truly believe that he did take a supplement that had (banned) stuff in it, and it wasn’t intentional,” he said. “I truly believe that.
Ignorant but not a cheater
Jones is in a lot of heat and his situation is not something anyone would want to be in. He admits being ignorant on the substances he has been taking but says he is not a cheater.
"The whole thing sucks. Being labeled as someone who would cheat hurts more than anything else I've ever been through in my career."
If found guilty, “Bones” could be facing a two-year suspension under the policies of UFC's drug program and the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
Despite the findings, Jones reasons that he is against PEDS which could have come in the backdoor through the supplements he is taking.
