Steroid metabolites found in Jon Jones system by VADA testing
Jon Jones’ Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) drug test came back for UFC 232 and steroid metabolites were found in his system.
The VADA testing shows picogram levels of a long-term oral Turinabol metabolite which was the cause of Jones’ suspension following UFC 214. He had 33 picograms of 4-chloro-18-nor-17β-hydroxymethyl,17α-methyl-5α-androst-13-en-3α-ol (M3) (or DHMCT) in his system, per the commission.
Although Jones tested positive, there will be no suspension according to Andy Foster, Executive Director of the California State Athletic Commission.
“I spoke with the scientists,” Foster said to MMAFighting. “They stand by their original statement. Nothing has changed. We’ve already punished Jon Jones for the M3 metabolite, which is a long-term metabolite. There’s no grounds to charge somebody twice for the same violation.”
Although the VADA test is showing picogram levels of a long-term metabolite, this was expected. Small traces of the steroid is still in his body and it ‘pulses’ every now and then. That is why it has shown up in his test from August until now.
However, although California believes Jones did not reingest steroids, Nevada was skeptical. They wouldn’t license Jones ahead of his UFC 232 title fight against Alexander Gustafsson. That was the main reason why the UFC moved the card to Inglewood, California on just days notice.
Jones is scheduled for a hearing in Nevada on Jan. 29 where it will be determined if Nevada will license him. The UFC better hope they do because they already have a scheduled title fight between him and Anthony Smith set for UFC 235.
The waiting game starts as to what Nevada will do with Jones. The most likely scenario is they will license him and put this ordeal behind them. Scientists are adamant Jones never reingested any steroids and this is small traces from his failed test way back in 2017.
Ultimately, no one will know until Tuesday when the hearing will take place.
