Jon Jones' teammate claims failed drug test for steroids set up: 'They are trying to ruin this kid's life'

Jon Jones’ teammate claims the UFC light heavyweight champion is a victim – not a multiple-time steroid offender.

Frank Lester, a coach at Jackson-Wink Academy, where Jones trains, claims a second positive steroid test is “a (setup), straight up.”

Posting on his official Facebook page, Lester said he was at dinner tonight when Jones received the news and cast suspicion on the circumstances surrounding Jones’ positive test for the anabolic steroid turabinol.

“No athlete would test clean his entire fight camp, and then randomly take some cheap (expletive) oral steroid betweens weigh ins and fight night knowing he would be tested once he got done fighting,” Lester wrote. “This is a straight set up. They are trying to ruin this kids life. It makes no sense and Jon wouldn’t do it.”

According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Jones’ failed test stems from an in-competition sample collected after the July 28 weigh-ins for his title bout against Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, which took place the next night at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Jones defeated Cormier via third-round knockout.

Jones is provisionally suspended by USADA and faces a potential four-year ban for his second failed test, which comes 11 months after he was flagged for an estrogen blocker prior to a title unifier against Cormier at UFC 200. He was removed from the fight and later received a one-year ban.

USADA will conduct results management for Jones. The California State Athletic Commission, which oversaw the pay-per-view event, is working with USADA on the case and “will take any appropriate actions necessary after a thorough review of the situation.”

Lester said Jones is “devastated” by news of his positive test – his third failed drug test while fighting in the UFC – and asked fans to withhold judgement while the process plays out.

“Let’s see what happens with all of this but I truly believe Jon is innocent (and) I hope that all of you will give him a fair chance before you send hateful judgements his way.”

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