Jon "Bones" Jones Cocaine Controversy

PIC BY EPWAR FROM THE UG

As the world is now aware, Jon "Bones" Jones has shocked the MMA community by testing positive for cocaine metabolites. 

Jones took a random drug test on December 4th, and the results came back on December 23rd, revealing that the Jackson-Winkeljohn fighter had tested positive for benzoylecgonine, "the primary metabolite of cocaine." Knowing these results, the NSAC allowed "Bones" to fight anyway at UFC 182 on January 3rd. The reason being that the NSAC follows the World Anti-doping Agency rules which said this is not a banned substance when fighters are "out of competition." 

"Out of competition" is defined as "testing of an athlete not in competition, or in any way associated with an athlete's immediate participation in an event or match." 

This moves us into the lovely gray area of interpretation. Jones was signed to face Daniel Cormier for a fight 30 days after he had taken, and failed said drug test, but the commission has stated that it did not have an impact on the UFC 182 bout, because, get ready for this, it did not affect the outcome of the bout, because Jon tested cleanly post fight and cocaine is not banned in "out of competition" testing. Yes, its as ludicrous as it sounds. And yet, for many years, marijuana was a banned substance, and considered a performance enhancer though obviously it is not.

UFC's Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Marc Ratner stated on Ariel Helwani's The MMA Hour podcast, "I think that this year-round testing and out of competition is very important. Unlike baseball if you're taking a performance enhancing drug and you hit the ball further, that's a big advantage, but in fighting, whether it's boxing or in MMA -- and you're chemically stronger and you win a fight that you may not of and hurt somebody and test positive -- that could be a criminal offense as well as losing the fight or it becoming a no contest. So I'm all for out of competition testing. I want an even playing field and I believe in it with all my heart."

Hmmm. 

Chael Sonnen, who tested positive for HGH, EPO, and other banned substances (yes, there were a lot) in June of '14 was suspended for 2 years by the NSAC, and promptly retired a cheater.

The difference between the two cases, is that "Bones" tested positive for a substance that was not banned. Though it is ridiculous that cocaine isn't banned, the facts remain.

And so, the hypocrisy that is Jon Jones continues as the part time Christian checked himself into rehab and the MMA world exploded with the news. 

Professional MMA fighters responded in a variety of ways, but none funnier than Ben "Funky Askren who tweeted...

Other professionals responded with anger like veteran Eddie Wineland...

Here's a few more gems from Jon Jones' peers...

Though the insincerity of "Bones" cannot be debated, the UFC won't be stripping him of the title anytime soon and it is doubtful he'll receive any true punishment once out of his PR stint in rehab. MMAFO always enjoys people getting their comeuppances and this is nothing short of glorious, though again we must reiterate, ultimately nothing of consequence will happen to Jon Jones. 

Still, once again, we get to see proof that Jon Jones is not who he professes to be, and that is a slight measure of justice.

"We came up with a strategy to keep it clean and be sponsored by the UFC itself. I'm glad the UFC wanted to work with me as well, and I think that they trust that I'll never make them look bad. You never have to worry about me with a DWI (driving while under the influence) or doing something crazy. I think I'm a good company guy." - Jonny "Nose" Jones