Michael Bisping: Jon Jones should be banned for life after second drug test failure

UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping may not be liked by everyone, but he’s never been afraid of giving his opinion on things. Bisping has always been firm in his stance against performance enhancing drugs in MMA, and has lambasted other fighters that have failed drug tests or were users of TRT.

This time, Bisping is talking about Jon Jones. And he believes that Jones should face a lifetime ban after a second positive drug test.

He spoke about the issue on an episode of the SI Now Digital Series, and when asked if Jones should be banned for life, he was frank in his assessment (transcription via MMA Fighting):

“I believe so,” Bisping said. “If you have a history of taking performance-enhancing drugs, there’s no place for it. This is a vicious sport. It’s not for everybody. We’re not trying to put a ball into a basket, we’re trying to — you can dress it up however you want — we’re trying to beat our opponents, either into submission or knock them out. Performance-enhancing drugs have no place in this sport.”

Jones first failed a drug test just prior to a bout with Daniel Cormier scheduled for UFC 200 and was suspended for one year by USADA. The latest failure came from an in-competition test before his UFC 214 bout with Cormier, where he regained the UFC light heavyweight title with a third-round TKO victory. He tested positive for turinabol, an anabolic steroid.

Bisping continued to weigh in, saying that things aren’t looking rosy for Jones and believing that his legacy is irreparably damaged by this latest failure:

“Yes, outside of the Octagon he’s made some very, very bad decisions,” Bisping said. “And unfortunately this is one that isn’t gonna go away for a long time. I think he’s looking at a four-year suspension. And it’s fair to say there’s no smoke without fire. This isn’t his first time. So, I guess we’re gonna see how this thing unfolds, but it’s not looking good.”

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“I think it’s fair to say that he has definitely tarnished his legacy. I think he will always be remembered for the stunning performances that he put on. When he first broke into the UFC, he was incredible. Absolutely unstoppable.”

Jones, who just had his B sample come back positive as well, has not been stripped of the 205-pound title as of yet. Bisping is gearing up for a UFC 217 title defense against returning legend Georges St-Pierre.