Jon Jones’ UFC 235 Drug Tests Show Mixed Results

As expected, a metabolite for anabolic steroid turinabol remains in some of Jon Jones’ UFC 235 drug tests heading into his return against Anthony Smith at this weekend’s PPV from Vegas.

The fact that it is continues to baffle. It seems the metabolite will remain in Jones’ system for the foreseeable future due to previous use. Earlier today the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) released the results of five of Jones’ drug tests ahead of UFC 235. Two of the tests showed ‘adverse’ results containing the M3 metabolite for turinabol. The other three came back clean.

Jones originally tested positive for turinabol prior to his UFC 217 against Daniel Cormier in July 2017. He was suspended for 15 months. Yet the substance still continues to haunt Jones. It was found in his system multiple times in 2018, but USADA did not sanction him because it was minuscule amounts. The term “pulsing” has therefore been used in describing why it is in his system. It did cause controversy when his return at December’s UFC 232 forced the card to be moved from Las Vegas to California.

Positive & Negative Tests

According to MMAjunkie, samples tested at Sports Medicine and Research Laboratory (SMRTL) on February 14 and February 15 found 40 and 20 picograms per milliliter of the metabolite respectively. Those numbers are close to other tests Jones has tested positive for the M3 metabolite. A December 9 test was between 60 and 80 picograms and one from December 28, 2018, showed 33 picograms.

Another USADA test is still pending. The NSAC has expedited all of Jones’ tests so the results can be found out sooner due to his history. He was required to undergo Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) testing as a result of being licensed in California. Jones most recently passed a VADA test on February 18, 2019.

Complete List Of Tests Since UFC 232

Jones has been tested nine times overall since his return at December 29’s UFC 232, according to a report from MMA Fighting. That works out to roughly one time per week. Four have been positive while five have been negative. Here is the complete list of tests:

• Dec. 28: M3 metabolite (VADA for CSAC)
• Dec. 29: Clean (USADA, CSAC)
• Jan. 6: M3 metabolite (VADA for CSAC)
• Jan. 7: M3 metabolite (VADA for CSAC)
• Jan. 13: Clean (VADA for CSAC)
• Feb. 1: Clean (USADA)
• Feb. 9: Clean (VADA for CSAC)
• Feb. 14: M3 metabolite (NAC)
• Feb. 15: M3 metabolite (NAC)
• Feb. 18: Clean (VADA for NAC)
• Feb. 23: Pending (USADA)

The recent adverse results will not affect his license in Nevada. He recently underwent a lengthy hearing because of his drug history with the NSAC. They granted him a one-fight license for UFC 235 and ordered him to undergo increased drug testing, making him the most tested athlete in MMA history as a result.

In a statement, SMRTL’s lab director Dr. Daniel Eichner, said show “no evidence” that a banned substance had been re-administered. There is also no evidence that Jones has an unfair competitive advantage due to the presence of the metabolite heading into UFC 235.