Interim Light Heavyweight Champion, Jon Jones, has been banned by the USADA for an anti-doping violation. However, the panel confirmed that he had taken a pill for erectile dysfunction and maintained that the pill was used to enhance sexual, not sporting performance. USADA announced the ban through Twitter yesterday.
Jones released the following statement to ESPN, regarding this suspension:
Although I was hopeful for a better outcome in the USADA ruling today, I am very respectful of the process in which they allowed me to defend myself. I have always maintained my innocence and I am very happy I have been cleared in any wrong doing pursuant to the allegations made that I had intentionally taken a banned substance. I am pleased that in USADA's investigation they determined I was "not a cheater of the sport".
Being cleared of these allegations was very important to me. I have worked hard in and outside of the octagon to regain my image and my fighting career and will take these next eight months to continue my training and personal growth both as a man and a athlete. Thank you to all of my fans, teammates, coaches, sponsors and to the UFC for their continued support."
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Jones was provisionally suspended in July, after testing positive for banned substances, clomiphene and letrozole. This happened just before his scheduled fight with Daniel Cormier, on July 9th at UFC 200.
The UFC also released a statement acknowledging Jones’ suspension. The statement noted that even though the decision of USADA indicates no intentional use of banned substances, it does highlight the diligence and care, that is required by the athletes competing; to ensure that no prohibited substances enter their system.
The sexual enhancement pill, which Jones’ ingested, has been said to be Cialis, a brand form of Tadalafil.
Furthermore, Jones stated that he received a pill from teammate Eric Blasich, which he believed to be Cialis. Jones also said that he checked through his agent, Malki Kawa, whether the pill was listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substance list, which it was not.
Unfortunately, after ingesting the pill, Jones, found out that it was a form of tadalafil. Blasich had reportedly purchased the pill from AllAmericanPeptide.com.
On the other hand, the USADA obtained and tested a supply of Tadalafil from AllAmericanPeptide.com, independently. The agency eventually found out, that it was contaminated with banned substances for which Jones was tested positive.
The three-person arbitration panel described Jones’ degree of fault verging on “reckless”, for not taking precautions to confirm what Blasich had provided or supervising his agent’s methods to confirm the legality of the medication.
In conclusion, the arbitration panel stated that they didn’t find Jones to be a cheat, but acknowledged his that his lack of caution led to a major financial loss. Jon Jones will now be allowed to return to the Octagon in July of 2017.
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