CSAC chief admits Jon Jones drug case was ‘a wreck,’ wants USADA to stop overstepping its bounds

After failing his UFC 214 drug test, which cost him a division title as well as a win over longtime rival Daniel Cormier, former UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, had to face disciplinary action from not one, but two governing bodies.

The one hired by the promotion to catch drug cheats, and the one put in place by the state government to regulate sports. That means United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) may be in conflict with how to handle specific cases.

Like the long and tedious process that kept Jones in a state of limbo.

“It’s this commission’s job to protect the public and to protect the public welfare,” Foster told MMA Fighting. “I think it’s a little bit beyond the scope of a drug-testing company to assume that role. We allowed it. I went along with it, the commission went along with it. When I have it to do over again and I’m sure in time I’ll have it to do over again, we’ll deal with this differently.”

Jones tested positive for Turinabol but drew a reduced sentence after “snitching” on someone else in the industry. Without that option, “Bones” could have faced a suspension of up to four years, based on his previous offenses.

“That’s nonsense to me,” Foster said. “You’re gonna tattle on somebody and get your fine reduced? That doesn’t mesh with my way of thinking. I’m dealing with Mr. Jones. Or I’m dealing with Fighter X or Fighter B. I’m not gonna reduce their punishment if they tell me somebody else is a doper.”

Not surprisingly, the way the Jones case was processed has Foster reconsidering his cooperation with USADA moving forward. While he can’t speak for other stateside commissions, he doesn’t want fighters competing in California handled so haphazardly.

“I think it’s good to have doping controls,” Foster told MMA Junkie. “I think this process was a wreck, and I think we learned from the process. If we keep doing this to the fighters, that’s not serving the public interest.”

For much more on Jones’ reinstatement, which cleared the way for his Alexander Gustafsson fight at UFC 232, click here.