Former light heavyweight champion, and current UFC 205-pound interim titleholder Jon Jones was expected to face champion Daniel Cormier in a rematch at UFC 200 on July 9. The fight never happened because Jones was flagged for a potential anti-doping violation and pulled from the fight card three days before the two were scheduled to headline one of the biggest pay-per-view events in the promotion’s history.
Jones was placed on temporary suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission, and that suspension was extended on Monday. The commission revealed that Jones tested positive for two banned substances from an out-of-compeition test conducted on June 16: Hydroxy Clomiphene (an anti-estrogenic agent) and Letrozole metabolite (an aromatase inhibitor).
Jones broke his silence on social media on Monday following the NAC proceedings. He tweeted that he’s a “victim of his own ignorance,” denied being a cheater, and said that he has faith in the system to prove it.
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Don’t write me off just yet, I know in my heart that I’m not a cheater. I trust in the system to help me prove it https://t.co/aE2vP9BlVp
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 18, 2016
Not trying 2 come across as a victim if anything Im a victim of my own ignorance & yes this could’ve been prevented https://t.co/bM0FTB5A9B
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 18, 2016
Jones’ defense at his Nevada Athletic Commission disciplinary hearing, expected to take place in September or October, appears to be unknowingly ingesting the banned substances through tainted products.
I’ll disclose to the public when I find out, already sent products to a lab. I have nothing to hide https://t.co/yHjtiDPlEq
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 18, 2016