Jon Jones: UFC champ, P4P No1, cocaine and double standards.

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Bones Jones is many things. After his unanimous points victory over Daniel Cormier on January 3rd in Las Vegas, he was still the light heavyweight champion and solidified his position in most people’s eyes as UFC’s No1 pound for pound fighter.

But only days following that victory, it was reveled he failed a random drug test on Dec 4, testing positive for cocaine. Though he did pass subsequent tests days before and after his championship fight, he announced his will be checking himself into a rehab center with the full backing of Dana White and the UFC.

Let me first say I was thoroughly impressed with his victory over Cormier. Although I was expecting him to win, I wasn’t expecting him to out wrestling Cormier, taking DC to the canvas more and effectively staying out of serious trouble throughout the fight.

I feel he handled the pressure of the rivalry and build up better, had the better game plan and really and truly had the better skill set, ability and athleticism to pull off the victory.

Make no mistake, Jones is a phenomenal fighter and if he carries on the way he’s going, I can see him being one of the all time greats in the UFC.

But with that being said, this cocaine use/positive drug test is a huge stain in my opinion. Obviously, along with the likes of Ronda Rousey he’s the UFC’s biggest commodity and looked upon as a role model.

Even though the UFC have come out and said this positive drug test was “outside competitive dates” it still is a positive drug test. Though it is not a banned performance enhancing drug, it still is an illegal drug and should be dealt with accordingly.

The UFC have a responsibility, Jones is not only nationwide but a worldwide figure. What message is this portraying for such a tough, fitness orientated sport for up and coming kids? You too can take illegal drugs and be a world champion as long as it’s outside of competitive dates?

I understand drug testing or competitive dates for drug testing are for performance enhancing drugs, to obviously stop fighters getting an unfair advantage.

But Dec 4th was only a month away from his fight, though cocaine is a social drug and Jones will not gain any advantage for it, Jones is still representing the UFC, and as a fighter of the company, let alone one of its most recognised champions, any kind of drug use should be reprehensible and treated as such.

in 2012 Nick Diaz was suspended for one year and recieved a heavy fine by the Navada athletic state commission and The UFC for a positive Marijuana test.

Thiago Silva also tested positive for Marijuana in 2012, banned for six months and fined (However he did have a previous positive test for steroids).

Apparently, Welterweight Matt Riddle had a license for medical Marijuana. In early 2013 he failed his second test within a year and was subsequently released by the UFC. Also in 2013, Alex Caceres tested positive for Marijuana, The UFC suspended him for six months. Caceres was ordered to attend rehabilitation classes and had to pass a drug test at the end of his suspension before he was allowed to fight again.

Following what would have been a career defining win against Jim Miller. Pat Healy tested positive for Marijuana. His win was rescinded, he lost his win bonus and fight of the night bonus (estimated $130,000) and was suspended for 90 days. Dana White vehemently defended the decision saying Marijuana is illegal and fighters should know this.

These are just some examples. Obviously all cases are different an have their own dynamics. I am not condoning Marijuana use or chastising The UFC for punishing fighters who do, as they have to take action and should make an example for any kind of drug use which I applaud. Even though Marijuana is legal in parts of the USA.

With that being said, in April 2014 after the UFC started doing random drug tests for all employee’s and subcontractors.

UFC Commentator and comedian Joe Rogan, a well-known Marijuana advocate, tested positive and was suspended indefinitely.

Only days after that announcement Dana White released a statement saying The UFC will no longer test for marijuana. He stated “The UFC will continue to test for steroids and other harmful drugs like meth and cocaine.

But we are going to use common sense and discontinue testing for pot. Joe Rogan is reinstated immediately. That means right fucking now! By the way, the suit that had the bright idea to suspend Rogan has been fired.” …..Interesting.

Though, as stated, Jones passed subsequent tests before and after his fight and the Marijuana examples I gave were positive tests right after fights. Jones has still tested positive for an illegal drug. The UFC need to continue to lead by example and treat this accordingly and not slip into the double standard world most sports seem to succumb to.