UFC champion Jon Jones has checked himself into a drug treatment facility just days after defending his light-heavyweight title over Daniel Cormier at UFC 182.
According to Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports, who broke the story, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) said Jones tested positive for benzoylecgonine — the main metabolite found in cocaine — in a random drug test administered on Dec. 4. However, there were no grounds for the NSAC to punish the fighter or prevent him from competing at UFC 182 because the commission follows the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Agency, which does not ban benzoylecgonine for out-of-competition use.
Jones and his lawyer issued the following statement to Yahoo! Sports:
“With the support of my family, I have entered into a drug treatment facility. I want to apologize to my fiancée, my children, as well as my mother, father, and brothers for the mistake that I made. I also want to apologize to the UFC, my coaches, my sponsors and equally important to my fans. I am taking this treatment program very seriously. Therefore, at this time my family and I would appreciate privacy.”
The UFC issued the following statement Tuesday evening upon learning of the news:
“We support UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ decision to enter a drug treatment facility to address his recent issue. While we are disappointed in the failed test, we applaud him for making this decision to enter a drug treatment facility. Jon is a strong, courageous fighter inside the Octagon, and we expect him to fight this issue with the same poise and diligence. We commend him on his decision, and look forward to him emerging from this program a better man as a result.”
Although prior to this incident Jones had never failed a drug test during his time with the UFC, it’s not the first time Jones has soiled his reputation with questionable behaviour. In May 2012, he was arrested and charged with a DUI after crashing his Bentley into a pole Binghamton, N.Y. He plead guilty and avoided jail time.
UFC president Dana White, who has butted heads with Jones over various issues in the past, stated: “I am proud of Jon Jones for making the decision to enter a drug treatment facility. I’m confident that he’ll emerge from this program like the champion he truly is.”
Reebok, a major sponsor of Jones and the official apparel line for the UFC, also expressed support for the fighter in a statement: “We commend Jon for taking the necessary steps to address the issue, and we will support him in any way we can. The status of Jon’s relationship with Reebok has not changed.”
Jones was expected to meet either Alexander Gustafsson or Anthony Johnson — who fight one another Jan. 24 — in his next bout sometime in the first half of 2015, but it’s unknown how long the 27-year-old will be on the sidelines as he undergoes treatment. Jones has defended his title eight consecutive times and is regarded as the consensus top pound-for-pound fighter in mixed martial arts.
