Jon Jones: 6 most controversial moments in the career of the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

#5 Jon Jones failed drug tests

Jon Jones

As mentioned previously, when it comes to Jon Jones, failed drug tests somehow became a part of the deal where the fighter was concerned. On 8th July 2016, Jones tested positive for two banned substances before his Championship fight against Daniel Cormier at UFC 200. The violation was confirmed on both samples collected from him and he had to withdraw from the fight, being replaced by Anderson Silva.

Jones said that he was innocent and that he was the victim here of a contaminated product. The named product, Cialis, was tested and found to be contaminated by the USADA. He was suspended for 1 year after his arbitration hearing even though it was concluded that he had not partaken of substances intentionally.

On August 22nd, 2017, he was flagged for yet another possible doping violation, that was collected after his weigh-ins on 28th July. He tested positive for Turinabol, which was an anabolic steroid.

Both his samples tested positive for the steroid. Jones claimed that he had not knowingly consumed the substance and in turn was handed a 15-month suspension by the UFC from September 18th along with 3 months of community service. There was potential for a 4-year suspension but 30 months were taken away by USADA as he had provided 'substantial assistance' to USADA.

When he finally returned in 2018 at UFC 232, more inconsistencies were found in his results and he was not allowed to fight in Nevada. The entire event was moved to Los Angeles to facilitate Jon Jones. The inconsistency was decided as being due to the long-term pulsing effect of the 2017 M3 metabolite.