Jon Jones granted license by CSAC to compete at UFC 232, may participate in additional VADA drug testing

Jon Jones is officially back.

Jones was granted a temporary license to fight Tuesday at a meeting of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), clearing his way to challenge Alexander Gustafsson on Dec. 29 at UFC 232for what is expected to be the vacant UFC light heavyweight.

Jones’ licensing hearing was the final hurdle standing in the way of the former 205-pound champion’s impending return to the cage. His license was previously revoked by the CSAC in a February commission meeting, at which he was also fined $205,000. At that previous meeting, CSAC executive officer Andy Foster said that California would honor USADA’s resolution to the case, which turned out to be a 15-month suspension following arbitration.

Jones’ license is temporary contingent on him putting together a community service plan with the CSAC, after which his license will be fully reinstated. Jones’ proposed plan was to work with youth programs at Gracie Barra gyms in Anaheim and Albuquerque, with the goal of completing his community service by the end of the first quarter of 2019.

In addition, commissioner Martha Shen-Urquidez proposed that Jones enroll himself for 3-4 months of additional drug testing with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).

“I know you’ve said that you’re happy USADA has established that you didn’t do this intentionally in your last test, and all of that, but you and I both know that there is a large number of people who still have some doubts, right?” Shen-Urquidez said to Jones.

“They are out there, and it’s not just a little bit of doubt, but there are people who have serious doubts over this. So I, for one, would like to put the doubts to sleep and to put them away once and for all, and for people to believe you — that you are that talented and that you are the greatest, and that you can win a fight just clean and that this is Jon Jones, and to put those doubts away once and for all. So, I have this idea and I’m just going to put it out there and see if you’ll agree to it.”

After deliberating with his attorney Howard Jacobs and UFC executive Marc Ratner, Jones was “agreeable in principle” to the proposal but did not formally agree. Jacobs said Jones’ team will explore the ramifications and details of the VADA program before making an official decision.

Jones is not required to agree to the additional VADA testing and can still say no without receiving further penalty.

“I just want to make sure it’s clear that everyone understands what we’re saying,” Jacobs said. “We’re agreeable in principle. Of course, the devil’s in the details. We need to see what exactly it is that we’re agreeing to, as far as what VADA is testing for, when they test, what their restrictions are.”

“I would suggest that, in my humble opinion — right now I’m giving my humble opinion — it’s better if Mr. Jones voluntarily decides to do this and is not compelled to do it,” said CSAC chairman John Carvelli. “You understand? We’re really hoping that you’re going to work this out and do this, for your own sake. I think Commissioner Martha made it clear to you what’s at stake for you here.”

CSAC will pay for the additional VADA testing if Jones agrees to submit to it.

CSAC executive director Andy Foster defended Jones multiple times throughout the hearing and railed against USADA’s handling of the case. He recommended to the commission that Jones’ case be the final time that the CSAC yields executive discretion to the UFC’s drug-testing partner.

“I do not think Mr. Jones is intentionally a doper,” Foster said. “I just don’t believe it. If he is, he’s the worst doper in combat sports. He fails the one test he knows is coming.”

Jones, 31, tested positive for a metabolite of the anabolic steroid Turinabol in a sample collected the day prior to his UFC 214 title rematch against Daniel Cormier, which took place on July, 29 2017 in Anaheim, Calif — his second drug-testing failure over a span of two years. Jones won the fight by third-round knockout, however the result was subsequently overturned to a no contest by the CSAC as a result of the positive drug test.

After taking his case to USADA arbitration, Jones was ultimately handed a reduced 15-month suspension by arbitrator Richard H. McLaren — a decision which proved controversial to many, including Cormier. The suspension was made retroactive to the date of sample collection — July 28, 2017 — and Jones was granted eligibility to fight again starting Oct. 28, contingent on him regaining licensure at the hands of CSAC.

As a second-time USADA offender, Jones faced a maximum four-year suspension for his most recent failed drug test, however his suspension was reduced to 15 months “based on Jones’ delivery of substantial assistance” in other USADA cases, as well as the fact that Jones passed multiple out-of-competition drug tests in the 10 months around UFC 214 and failed only the in-competition test that he knew ahead of time was coming.

“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,” USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart said in a statement at the time. “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.”

Jones previously tested positive for two anti-estrogen agents in an out-of-competition drug test in 2016. That failed drug test forced him out of a scheduled rematch against Cormier at UFC 200 just days out from the event. An arbitration panel ultimately handed Jones a one-year suspension in that case. Prior to that, Jones was stripped of his long-held UFC light heavyweight title in 2015 following a felony hit-and-run arrest.

Despite his transgressions, Jones (22-1, 1 NC) remains one of the most accomplished and decorated fighters to ever compete in mixed martial arts. From March 2011 to Jan. 2015, he won nine consecutive UFC title bouts while successfully defending his light heavyweight belt a record eight straight times. Jones holds notable victories over Cormier, Gustafsson, Mauricio Rua,Rashad Evans, Glover Teixeira, Quinton Jackson, and Lyoto Machida. His only loss, a controversial 2009 outing against Matt Hamill, came via disqualification.