Jon Jones Reacts After USADA And The UFC Cut Ties – ‘Man I Survived USADA’
In some MMA news, Jon Jones has reacted to the news that USADA will no longer to working with the UFC.
The organization confirmed that they would be parting ways following the expiry of their contract in 2023. The CEO of USADA, Travis Tygart, confirmed the news on October 11th, 2023.
The comments were made after Conor McGregor had enrolled into the testing pool, following mass speculation over whether he would return to the sport.
Although McGregor did join the testing pool, the rules do require that fighters must provide two negative samples over a six-month period. And yet, there were suggestions that this could have been an issue.
USADA’s Stance
“Despite a positive and productive meeting about a contract renewal in May 2023, the UFC did an about-face and informed USADA on Monday, October 9, that it was going in a different direction. We are disappointed for UFC athletes, who are independent contractors who rely on our independent, gold-standard global program to protect their rights to a clean, safe, and fair Octagon. The UFC’s move imperils the immense progress made within the sport under USADA’s leadership.
“The relationship between USADA and UFC became untenable given the statements made by UFC leaders and others questioning USADA’s principled stance that McGregor not be allowed to fight without being in the testing pool for at least six months,” USADA said
Jones’ Issues With USADA
Jones has now responded to the news, having also had his own issues with USADA. The American fighter was pulled from his fight with Daniel Cormier in 2016, which was for the light heavyweight title.
This was after Jones failed a test for Clomiphene and Letrozole. The substances were banned by WADA, as USADA confirmed that Jones would be suspended for one year.
Although that may have been the case, the American did convince USADA that the failed test was because of a sex pill that had been contaminated.
In the aftermath of that, Jones’ win over Cormier at UFC 214 was overturned. It became a no-contest after Jones had tested positive for Turinabol, a type of steroid.
As a consequence, Jones was given a suspension for 15 months. And yet, it could have been four years had Jones not assisted USADA. Then in 2018 Jones was found with a trace amount of Turinabol at UFC 232.
Jones hit back by claiming that the amount found in his system was so small, a picogram to be exact. However, the California State Athletic Commission then stated that there was no evidence that Jones had taken it.
And given that Jones had been through a lot of issues with USADA, this is what he had to say.
“Man I survived USADA. First they said I was guilty of having picograms, then they considered me innocent, next picograms became legal. Guess what I’m still here, still unbeaten. That BS no contest over DC needs to be taken off my record. I’ve never cheated this sport and I will stand by that until the Day I die,” Jones stated
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