USADA releases statement on Jon Jones blood test - ‘The prohibited substance is only tested for in urine’

It was revealed earlier today (Fri., Sept. 1, 2017) that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones passed a blood test the night of his title fight with Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 on July 29. The news comes after Jones tested positive for a banned substance under United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) rule dating back to a urine sample collected on July 28.

Jones, who has had a long track record of wrong doings over the past few years, reportedly tested positive for Turinabol, an anabolic steroid traced back to 1960’s East Germany. Unfortunately for Jones, Turinabol can only be detected through urine samples, which is exactly what “Bones” popped for in his pre-UFC 214 test.

A USADA spokesman released the following statement to MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani earlier today, explaining Jones’ current situation:

“Given that Mr. Jones’ agent has publicly commented on this case, we can confirm Mr. Jones provided a urine and blood sample on July 6th and an additional urine sample on the 7th — all of which were reported negative. On July 28th, his urine sample tested positive for turinabol — as confirmed previously — then after the fight he provided a blood sample that was reported negative.”

“The prohibited anabolic steroid turinabol is only tested for in urine screens and not in blood tests. Urine and blood screens are complimentary to each other and don’t analyze for the same substances. Importantly, Mr. Jones is innocent unless and until the established process determines otherwise. It’s only fair to let due process occur before jumping to any conclusions.”

This explanation puts an immediate kibosh on today’s news. If Turinabol is only detected in urine samples then Jones’ successful blood test taken after his knockout victory over “DC” at UFC 214 means practically nothing. Jones is still on the hook for the failed test prior to UFC 214 and will continue to try to prove his innocence.

Stick with Mania as more details regarding Jones are revealed.