They’re back
Those pesky picograms of the long-term metabolite of oral Turinabol have re-appeared in Jon Jones’ system after a VADA drug test at UFC 232 last month in California.
33 picograms of the same metabolite appeared in the latest test according to the California State Athletic Commission in a report obtained by MMAFighting. Commission and USADA tests conducted on the night of UFC 232 came back with no trace of the metabolite.
CSAC executive officer Andy Foster made it clear in a statement that this is the same metabolite that had appeared in Jones’ system just prior to UFC 232 and this does not indicate any new abuse of the drug.
“I spoke with the scientists,” Foster said. “They stand by their original statement. Nothing has changed. We’ve already punished Jon Jones for the M3 metabolite, which is a long-term metabolite. There’s no grounds to charge somebody twice for the same violation.”
Jones is scheduled to fight Anthony Smith at UFC 235 on March 2. First, he must be licensed by the Nevada commission and has a hearing scheduled for next week.
Smith isn’t too worried about the latest test results and is ready to fight Jones no matter what.
“I truly don’t care,” Smith tweeted Wednesday night. “Picograms, no picograms, Olympic sized swimming pools, grains of salt… I couldn’t care any less. I signed on the line and did it knowing what I was signing up for and with no expectations. I’m good, y’all.”
https://twitter.com/lionheartasmith/status/1088288434853076992
If he’s good, we’re good. Let’s hope for a controversy-free buildup to UFC 235.
Thursday Notebook
-After a split decision victory over Andrei Arlovski at UFC 232, Walt Harris has failed a CSAC drug test and is temporarily suspended. It is worth noting that this is a commission test and not a USADA test, although USADA can punish an athlete based on commission test results.
-UFC Brooklyn prelims on ESPN did 1.956 million viewers. It is the most watched prelim broadcast in UFC history and had better viewership than nearly all FS1 UFC main cards.
–Fedor Emelianenko told media yesterday that he is considering retirement after his fight with Ryan Bader at Bellator 214 this weekend. “To tell the truth, at the age I’m at right now, more and more I am thinking about retiring,” he said.
Fight Announcements
-Geraldo de Freitas vs. Felipe Colares at UFC Fortaleza on Feb. 2.
-Alejandro Perez. vs. Song Yadong at UFC 235 on March 2 from Las Vegas.
-Sabina Mazo vs. Maryna Moroz at UFC Philadelphia on March 30.
In case you missed it
–NEW PODCAST: MMA Scope talking UFC on ESPN+, Bellator 214, Greg Hardy, and more
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