Jon Jones explains why he won’t do VADA testing
Jon Jones is set to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 232 on December 29. Jones will be once again fighting for the title when he takes on Alexander Gustafsson. It is a rematch of their fight five years ago, in which Jones won the fight.
However, a major storyline entering this fight is Jones coming back from his USDA suspension. The California Athletic Commission was not happy with the punishment Jones received from USADA. They wanted Jones to enter VADA, the volunteer drug testing for this fight.
“I, for one, would like to put the doubts to sleep, and to put them away once and for all,” commissioner Martha Shen-Urquidez told Jones at the hearing. “And for people to believe you, that you are that talented and that you are the greatest, and that you can win a fight just clean, and that this is Jon Jones, and to put those doubts away once and for all.”
Ultimately, Jones will still be tested by USADA, but the former light heavyweight champion will not enter VADA. It was reported that Jones was considering entering the program but ended up deciding not to with the help of his team. On a media conference call for UFC 232, Jones was asked why he wouldn’t enter VADA and his answer was fairly simple.
“It’s all a pretty new conversation,” Jones said. It’s something I haven’t been putting too much energy into. Every ounce of my mind, body and spirit has been dominated with this next fight.
“I don’t want to speak out of turn when it comes to these companies,” Jones said. “These companies are pretty serious companies. I want to get my mind around the whole situation before speaking more on it.”
No matter what, Jones will still be tested by USADA. VADA was completely voluntary which meant Jones did not have to do. In the end, he will not do the extra testing, and is ready to fight Gustafsson for the title on December 29.
