Jon Jones is emphatic that despite failing a drug test prior to his scheduled UFC 200 fight against Daniel Cormier he is not a cheater.
The UFC announced just days before the UFC 200 card that Jones had failed an out-of-competition drug test on June 16, and they pulled him from his scheduled fight. Jones later expressed great sorrow over the failed test and said he couldn’t even pronounce the name of the substance for which he tested positive. USADA announced that Jones tested positive for two estrogen blockers — substances often associated with steroids cycles.
Despite the positive test, Jones is adamant that he did not cheat. His tweets in response to some folks on Twitter seem to suggest he ingested a tainted supplement:
Don't write me off just yet, I know in my heart that I'm not a cheater. I trust in the system to help me prove it https://t.co/aE2vP9BlVp
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 18, 2016
You're absolutely right man, I learned that myself over the last week. But it doesnt mean you actually took steroids https://t.co/qkv6tw3Dej
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 18, 2016
Not trying 2 come across as a victim if anything Im a victim of my own ignorance & yes this could've been prevented https://t.co/bM0FTB5A9B
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 18, 2016
I know we are not in the same boat, I'll just leave it at that https://t.co/vDn1Vv8jAX
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 18, 2016
Jones also said he had sent samples to the lab for analysis, likely in an effort to determine if any product he was taking was tainted.
Even if he never did intend to cheat, Jones, like all athletes, is responsible for everything he puts in his body and should make sure the products are clean before using them in order to avoid these situations.
