Put Jon Jones atop the growing list of names to see USADA and the UFC go their separate ways.
The United States Anti-Doping Agency announced they are ceasing their work with the UFC effective January 1, 2024. This move has drawn a wide range of emotions and reactions from those within the combat sports space, and now the promotion’s heavyweight champion has decided to chime in as well.
Jon Jones Celebrates USADA Split, Asks for Cormier Result Reversed
Jon Jones took to X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday and shared that he felt he had “survived” USADA before expanding upon his thoughts.
Man I survived USADA. First they said I was guilty of having picograms, then they considered me innocent, next picograms became legal. Guess what I’m still here, still unbeaten. That BS no contest over DC needs to be taken off my record. I’ve never cheated this sport and I will…
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 12, 2023
The no-contest he eludes to comes from his win over noted rival Daniel Cormier at UFC 214. Jones had won the bout via head kick in the third round but a post-fight drug test that was positive forced the commission to change the ruling. The positive test was followed up with a negative one just 24 hours later resulting in the USADA results to be questioned by Jones’ camp.
Jones was not the only fighter to have positive test issues under the USADA umbrella. Fighters Josh Barnett, Yoel Romero, Tim Means, and others all had positive tests that were disputed and later changed but not till after the fighters had been suspended or forced to pull from their bout.
The UFC announced at a press event hosted by Jeff Novitzky and Hunter Campbell that the promotion will be utilizing Drug Free Sport International for their testing. The same company is utilized by the NFL, NBA, NHL, and other sports leagues which is the main reason the UFC is going to be using their services.
