THE UNITED STATES Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) confirmed this evening that Jon Jones’ B sample test administered on 16 June showed the presence of a banned substance.
Jones was pulled from his UFC 200 title bout with Daniel Cormier this week after USADA informed him of a potential anti-doping violation.
“The B sample that was requested has confirmed the findings of the A sample,” a spokesperson for USADA told ESPN.
It’s still not known what the substance in question is but Jones — a long-term advocate of increased drug testing in MMA — has denied any wrongdoing and told a press conference on Thursday that he had no explanation on the source.
Jones said:
I don’t even know how to pronounce it. I’ve been taking the same supplements the majority of my career. I’ve been so outspoken about being against any type of performance enhancers. To this day, I’m extremely against performance enhancers.”
While Jones still has an appeals process with USADA, a positive test for a performance-enhancing drug carries a standard penalty of a two-year suspension.
