/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45167942/jones_lin.0.jpg)
Earlier today (Tues., Jan. 6, 2015) news broke that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, tested positive for cocaine metabolites prior to his title defense against Daniel Cormier, which went down last weekend (Sat. Jan. 3, 2015) at UFC 182.
Not only was the mixed martial arts (MMA) community caught off guard with the revelation, but surprised and downright flabbergasted that the news was made public after his championship fight, which went down from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to this report, since Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) follows the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) policies -- and benzoylecgonine is not on the out-of-competition banned substance list -- a punishment could not be levied against Jones. As a result, he was allowed to defend his 205-pound strap.
Needless to say, many prominent MMA figures didn't take too kindly to the alarming news.
Check out their Twitter reactions:
Jon Jones: Kilo for Kilo the best fighter on the planet!
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) January 7, 2015
Jon Jones is so powerful he has COCAINE trending. Think about that. #champion #UFC182 #UFC #MMA
— Danny Acosta (@AcostaIsLegend) January 7, 2015
Wait what? ... All I heard was that cocaines legal?
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) January 7, 2015
UFC officials aren't answering when they knew of Jones' positive, but Bennett said he knew before fight.
— Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) January 7, 2015
Nick Diaz spent a YEAR on the sidelines because of weed traces in his system. Be interesting to see what censure Jones gets from UFC, if any
— JJ (@johnjoeoregan) January 6, 2015
Ask yourself the question- Did NAC discretion promote fighter safety or success of fight card?
— Dr. Johnny Benjamin (@DrJCBenjamin) January 7, 2015
It just makes me wonder, do arrogant assholes gravitate towards cocaine, or is it a side effect
— MAYHEM (@mayhemmiller) January 7, 2015
COCAINE= 0 FINE, 0 PENALTY, 0 SUSPENSION, 0 FIRED, 0 REPREMANDING WEED= CAREER CRUCIFIXION, FINE, FIRED, SHUNNED, OSTRACIZED, RUINED! ????
— Pat Barry (@HypeOrDie) January 7, 2015
Today Jon Jones Cocaine, WSOF Exec Tax Evasion, @roynelsonmma in the Scorpion King: Quest for power available... http://t.co/RC1q4uhvW8
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) January 7, 2015
@SBNLukeThomas Code of conduct only applies if you're not a draw.
— CagePotato.com (@cagepotatomma) January 6, 2015
@ufc @danawhite you dumb bitches fire me for weed while you allow fighters to use hard drugs with zero consequences. #ufcistrash
— matthew riddle (@riddletuf7) January 6, 2015
______❄️ #idiot
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) January 6, 2015
Woah guys, I'm hoping & praying for the best for Jon Bones Jones. #UFC #Boxing: http://t.co/krKWAgXMsU
— Sugar Ray Leonard (@SUGARRAYLEONARD) January 7, 2015
Really!?!? Positive drug test and he's applauded for his decision to enter rehab? Hopefully punishment is in store...treat everyone equal
— Eddie Wineland (@EddieWineland) January 7, 2015
Steroids no caffinee no weed no cocaine.... Eh it slide
— DaMarques Johnson (@DaMarques_UFC) January 6, 2015
So cocaine ISN'T banned out of competition? Seems pretty fucked to me.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) January 6, 2015
Crazy how many great athletes get involved with drugs. Hope Jones gets away from this.
— Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) January 6, 2015
Life is a learning experience. Support to my bro @JonnyBones. Just a WAKE UP call from God. #BonesStrong #UFC
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) January 6, 2015
Can someone explain to me why a commission would spend the time to test someone for a drug when there are no penalties for a positive test?
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) January 7, 2015
oh yall out the drug testin business now huh...
— Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) January 6, 2015
And of course, many quickly whipped out their Photoshop skills to add insult to injury:
I bet he just like the smell of it pic.twitter.com/RoJTHsy6Wo
— noad lahat (@Neo_MMA) January 7, 2015
GOAT #BonesNose pic.twitter.com/TOxIiI5396
— Mackens (@MackDaMenaceMMA) January 7, 2015
I wonder what @ufc code of ethics say about this #KingOfTheSniff pic.twitter.com/L9kaTiRJGu
— Mackens (@MackDaMenaceMMA) January 6, 2015
UFC President Dana White offered up his reaction (read it), saying that he is proud of Jones for voluntarily entering a rehab center. Daniel Cormier also offered up some encouraging words for his bitter rival.
Jones passed a second test prior to his UFC 182 victory over "DC" last Saturday night. Regardless, as previously mentioned, he has since entered a drug rehabilitation facility.
You've seen the reactions ... what's yours?
Loading comments...