Alexander Gustafsson thinks Jon Jones was juiced for UFC 165 - ‘He was doing things he shouldn't be doing’

Alexander Gustafsson and Jon Jones renewed their rivalry last week after the duo got into a heated Twitter battle that saw both men hurl insults at each other. Of course, the root of it all goes back to Gustafsson, who remarked that “Bones” simply isn’t a good person nor a deserving champion.

And if you thought that riled up Jones, “The Mauler” doubled down during a recent appearance on “The MMA Hour,” claiming that Jones has been dabbling with performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) throughout his mixed martial arts (MMA) career.

“I believe so,” Gustafsson said. “I think he’s been doing a lot of stuff that he shouldn’t be doing. It’s tragic to say, but I believe he was doing things he shouldn't be doing.”

When asked if he thought Jones was doing PEDs during their fight at UFC 165 — which was pre-USADA — Gustafsson said, “I think so. Anyway, it’s history now and new times are coming and we will fight again ... someday.”

Jones was popped by USADA for anti-estrogen substances (hydroxy-clomiphene) prior to his scheduled title fight against Daniel Cormier at UFC 200 last July, which earned him a one-year suspension from the sport. In addition, Jones tested positive for cocaine metabolites back at UFC 182 for his initial fight against Cormier. And while “Bones” initially regretted that dumb decision back in 2015, the former champion used it as fuel toward his nemesis, poking fun at “DC” by saying he defeated him after partying it up and going on cocaine benders prior to their showdown.

And while he also claimed that he partied hard with plenty of liquor prior to his fight against Gustafsson, “The Mauler” feels it’s just an excuse “Bones” is making for being unable to finish him. Furthermore, it’s the fact that Jones doesn’t show embarrassment or regret for his transgressions, which shapes Gustafsson’s view toward him.

“I don’t like him,” he said. “I don’t like how he talks on stage about cocaine, and so many young people are looking up to him. I don’t support that stuff at all and I told the media what I think of him. He’s been getting caught with everything, it’s one thing or another. But, when he was sitting on stage with ‘DC’ and then he says he did cocaine the week before he fought him, he’s not even embarrassed of that stuff.

“He’s just proud to say that stuff,” he continued. “You don’t do that. You’re a good fighter, best pound-for-pound fighter that hasn’t lost to nobody. That’s just how I feel.”

With his win over Glover Teixeira at UFC Fight Night 109, Gustafsson muddied the Light Heavyweight title picture even though his training partner, Jimi Manuwa, has already been “promised” the next title fight if he can get through Volkan Oezdemir.

That said, Gustafsson has yet to talk to UFC officials about his next move, though he’s going to be keeping a close eye on Jones’ rematch against Cormier, which is set to go down at UFC 214 on July 29, 2017.