California fines Jon Jones $205,000, revokes his license

As seen in the livestream here on Bloody Elbow, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) have decided to fine Jon Jones $205,000 after a sample taken by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on July 28th, the day before his rematch with Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, tested positive for Turinabol.

The commission also revoked Jones’ license for a year, which will require him to come before the commission to be licensed to fight again in California. The commission elected not to suspend Jones, likely in part because USADA will be handing down their own suspension which will also be entered into the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) database.

Jones’ defense rested on a report by Dr. Paul Scott of Korva Labs, but Dr. Scott’s testimony was picked apart by opposing counsel, as his report—which found Jones’ use of Turinabol was likely unintentional—was based on numerous assumptions. One of the assumptions was how Turinabol would be used by someone looking to enhance their performance. Dr Scott appeared to indicate that he got his information about this from a bodybuilding website sent to him by Jones’ attorney Howard Jacobs. Dr. Scott was ultimately forced to concede that there was a great deal of uncertainty around his conclusions.

Panel member Martha Shen-Urquidez also laid into Jones, pointing out that he lied on declarations several times, both before and after his first failed USADA test in 2016. Shen-Urquidez pointed out that Jones listed only seven supplements on his doping control form, where he is required to list every supplement and medication he has taken. Jones subsequently sent 17 supplements to be checked for Turinabol, indicating he had taken 10 supplements he did not list on the form. According to Shen-Urquidez, Jones also neglected to list supplements on previous forms as well.

Jones, by way of explaining his failed test prior to UFC 200, stated that when USADA was brought into the UFC, he was serving a suspension and had no interaction with USADA, and was uneducated about the risks of supplements. Shen-Urquidez pointed out that Jones signed a declaration that he had completed and understood online education material by USADA that all UFC fighters are required to complete. Jones admitted that he never actually saw these resources, and had his manager view them and sign on his behalf.

Jones still faces further sanction from the United States Anti-doping Agency (USADA) over the same failed drug test. Jones is looking at a suspension of up to four years from USADA under the UFC’s own anti-doping policy due to his previous positive drug test for clomiphene and letrozole metabolites.

If USADA decides there are aggravating factors in Jones’ case, he could potentially face six years. USADA have only invoked this clause once under the UFC program, when Francisco Rivera forged bank statements and other evidence.

Jones will technically be eligible to reapply for a licence in August 2018—one year after it was revoked—but the commission suggested they wouldn’t look to re-license him until any suspension given to Jones by USADA is completed.