Jon Jones Wins Arbitration, Eligible To Fight Again In October, Fighter Reactions Were Not Great

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has had his title stripped from him on three separate occasions. The first time for a hit-and-run incident in 2015, and the next two times after testing positive for banned substances.

His most recent suspension had him facing a potential four-year ban from fighting in mixed martial arts, effectively ending his career.

However, now, after arbitration with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Jones will be eligible to fight again in the UFC as early as October 28th of this year, as his suspension was set at just 15 months by the USADA.

The suspension is retroactive to when the sample was collected on July 28, 2017, meaning he could fight, and probably headline UFC 230 on November 3rd at Madison Square Garden, an event that has yet to announce a main event.

“The independent arbitrator found that Jon Jones was not intentionally cheating in this case, and while we thought 18-months was the appropriate sanction given the other circumstances of the case, we respect the arbitrator’s decision and believe that justice was served,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart in a statement. “This case is another strong reminder that athletes need to be extremely cautious about the products and supplements they use to ensure they are free of prohibited substances.”

The California State Athletic Commission, which already revoked his license and fined Jones $205,000, says they will honor the USADA’s decision.

“Although the Commission has not had the opportunity to review the decision at this time, the Commission is agreeable, in concept, to the 15-month sanction time period,” said CSAC executive officer Andy Foster in a statement. “In order to have his license reinstated, Mr. Jones will be ordered to complete three months of community service, pay the previously ordered $205,000 fine, and finish out the remainder of the 15-month sanction.”

Jones, who has steadfastly maintained his innocence was obviously very pleased with the decision.

“It’s difficult to express myself at this moment but I can definitely say my heart is filled with gratitude and appreciation,” Jones wrote on social media. “I want to thank all of you who have stood by me during the toughest stretch of my life. It has meant the world to me and always will. But now is the time to shift the focus front and center to the road ahead. Greatness is what I’m chasing and the path to reclaiming my throne is now officially open. Comeback Season begins now.”

Not everyone in the MMA community was as he pleased with the decision as he was, however.

While others just saw dollar signs.

https://twitter.com/MannyGamburyan/status/1042564385787412480

And the one guy who has been most associated with Jones and his suspensions, current UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier, had his own take on the news.

Appearing as an analyst on UFC Tonight on Wednesday, Cormier had this to say about the decision.

“I’m the UFC double champion. I have bosses in the back and I’m talking about this guy because I have to. I’ve moved past that,” said Cormier. “I went about my business. I went and won another title. This guy, I guess now his suspension’s up. So we’ll see what happens.”

As for whether a third fight between he and Jones could happen, he said, “I think people get excited, people get excited about the prospect of us fighting again, but I’ve got a fight with Brock Lesnar. Why would I look back? Why would I look back to Jones now when I’ve got a fight? Obviously, as a competitor I want to fight the guy. He’s beaten me twice. But I’ve got a fight. Why go back? This is a bigger fight. I’ve got a bigger fight with Brock Lesnar. Why should I go back?”

Why indeed.

[MMA Fighting]