Jon Jones is arguably one of the best-ever fighters to set foot inside a UFC Octagon. One of the most dominant and fierce competitors, Jones has accumulated quite a record over the years. Ahead of his return at UFC 285, let’s take a look at the steroid and PED controversies that have plagued his career.
Throughout his career, Jones has tested positive for a number of substances like Turinabol, hydroxy-clomiphene, and a Letrozole metabolite. Starting off in 2014, Jones first tested positive for cocaine. Although it is not considered a PED or steroid, Jones still had to pay a $25,000 fine for it.
However, in 2016, ahead of his fight against Daniel Cormier, things became more serious. Jones tested positive for hydroxy-clomiphene and letrozole metabolite, which are both estrogen blockers. For those unaware, estrogen blockers are used to suppress and counter the effects of steroids. Due to this, he was handed a one-year suspension.
Taking on Cormier in 2017, Jones tested positive yet again, this time for turinabol metabolite. Although he beat Cormier via TKO, the decision was overturned to a no-contest following a positive pre-fight urine sample. Turinabol helps a user’s muscles to grow and become stronger whilst aiding their recovery. Fortunately for Jones, the 4-year suspension was decreased to 15 months after an arbitration. He was also fined $205,000 for the same.
Jon Jones says he never used steroids
Despite the positive tests and serious allegations against him, Jones has always denied using substances to gain an edge over his opponents. As such, Jonny Bones stated that he accidentally took the estrogen blockers in 2014, which were told to be Cialis, a male enhancement pill. For his turinabol test, many along with Jones himself believe that he was set up, due to multiple negative tests before and after the fight.
Further, Jones was the most tested fighter by USADA in 2020, despite fighting only once that year. Notably, he did not test positive for any substances, banned or otherwise. As such, it marked the beginning of a new era for Jones and the start of his journey to heavyweight as well.
Recently, Jones was pleased to share the new changes to USADA’s drug testing criteria. Taking to Instagram, Jones stated that he felt free, seeing that USADA now allows up to 100 picograms of any prohibited substance in a sample. Coming back to the time he tested positive for estrogen blockers, it was likely under the 100 picogram limit, meaning that it was acceptable by today’s standards.
Currently, Jones is gearing up for his heavyweight debut and title fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. As such, he is coming in with a new temperament and feeling like a fighter reborn. Moreover, should he win at UFC 285, nobody can claim that he has used an unfair advantage either. Thus, Jones will once again be on his way to cementing his legacy as the best ever in the sport.
