Jon Jones' B sample from UFC 214 also positive for steroid turinabol

Jon Jones’ B sample also tested positive at UFC 214.

UFC Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitzky confirmed the results to MMAjunkie tonight that Jones’ B sample has come back positive for metabolites of turinabol, the same steroid found in his urine during a pre-fight test for his title win over Daniel Cormier via knockout at the July 29 pay-per-view event in Anaheim, Calif.

Jones, 30, is now likely to go to arbitration with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which administered the test, in an attempt to clear his name. That process could take anywhere from three to six months. His representatives have maintained his innocence.

Jones (23-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) faces up to a four-year ban for his second doping violation and could be stripped of his title, according to UFC President Dana White.

The potentially long penalty factors in Jones’ first USADA doping violation, which resulted in his scratch from a title unifier with Cormier (19-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) at UFC 200. An arbitrator found Jones negligent at the upper level of fault for taking an over-the-counter sexual enhancement pill – later found to be tainted with two banned estrogen-blockers – and suspended him one year, though it stopped short of calling him a cheater.

Jones’ positive test at UFC 214 came from a urine sample taken after the official weigh-ins for the event on July 28. In an interesting twist, Jones passed out-of-competition tests on July 6 and July 7 and also passed a blood test conducted on fight night, though USADA cautioned it was too early to draw conclusions because turinabol is only found via urine tests.

Even with the lack of certainty, Jones’ second USADA positive was devastating for his comeback. The theme surrounding the pound-for-pound great’s rematch with Cormier was redemption, with the promotion highlighting his out-of-cage troubles with USADA and the law. In the lead-up to the fight, Jones took exception to Cormier’s accusations that he knowingly cheated. Jones answered critics who questioned his ability to bounce back with a thunderous knockout of Cormier in the third round via head kick.

Before news of the failed UFC 214 broke, Jones was trying to queue up a fight with ex-heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar, while the promotion was working on a fight with current champ Stipe Miocic for UFC 218.

For complete coverage of UFC 214, check out the UFC Events section of the site.