White: “Jones Didn’t Do Anything Wrong”

Walking out of UFC 232 on December 29th, UFC President Dana White is still staunchly behind his new light heavyweight champion Jon Jones when he goes before the Nevada State Athletic Commission later this month.

“He didn’t do anything wrong,” White told reporters after Jones’ third-round stoppage of Alexander Gustafsson In Las Vegas at UFC 232. “I don’t know what to expect, but I would be blown away if they didn’t give him a license to fight in Nevada. It makes no sense – it makes no sense at all.”

The issues arose when Jones had an “adverse” drug test on December 9th that created doubt in the mind of the Nevada commission who  wanted to “determine the appropriate path forward for him in Nevada,” causing UFC 232 to be moved to Los Angeles from Las Vegas.

“They could’ve done (a hearing) on Friday (of fight week),” White said after UFC 232. “I’m a degenerate gambler, but I ain’t that much of a gambler. I wasn’t willing to risk that. If I have an ace and the dealer has an ace, I’m taking even money. I’m taking even money all day. So we moved the thing to California.”

Per a statement from NSAC, the governing body conducted an “extensive analysis” of Jones’s in- and out-of-competition drug tests conducted by USADA, which will lead to an “evidentiary hearing” for a “measured, thoughtful and comprehensive discussion of his anti-doping protocol and results.”

Jones currently is not only under USADA testing, but also VADA testing as per his agreement with the California State Athletic Commission over his failed UFC 214 drug test in 2017.

Initial Report: MMA Junkie