So UFC Champion Jon Jones Is Basically Going To Rehab Because He Had A Crazy Weekend In Vegas Right?
LAS VEGAS – UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones announced Tuesday that he has entered a drug treatment facility. The announcement came just days after Jones defeated Daniel Cormier on Saturday in the main event of UFC 182 at the MGM Grand Garden in a five-round decision that left many considering him as the greatest mixed martial arts fighter of all time.
But in a random drug test given to him on Dec. 4 by the Nevada Athletic Commission, Jones tested positive for benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite in cocaine. The Nevada commission follows the World Anti-Doping Agency code and benzoylecgonine is not banned out-of-competition. As a result, the commission was unable to penalize Jones or prevent him from fighting despite knowing of the positive test.
It conducted a follow-up test later in December that Jones passed. Yahoo Sports was unable to get the exact date of the second test that Jones passed. Jones released a statement to Yahoo Sports through his attorney acknowledging his problem.
“With the support of my family, I have entered into a drug treatment facility. I want to apologize to my fiancée, my children, as well as my mother, father, and brothers for the mistake that I made. I also want to apologize to the UFC, my coaches, my sponsors and equally important to my fans. I am taking this treatment program very seriously. Therefore, at this time my family and I would appreciate privacy.”
The UFC released the following statement in regards to Jones:
“We support UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ decision to enter a drug treatment facility to address his recent issue. While we are disappointed in the failed test, we applaud him for making this decision to enter a drug treatment facility. Jon is a strong, courageous fighter inside the Octagon, and we expect him to fight this issue with the same poise and diligence. We commend him on his decision, and look forward to him emerging from this program a better man as a result.”
Nevada commission chairman Francisco Aguilar said the commission is going to discuss out-of-competition drug tests at its next meeting and whether to break from the WADA code in similar situations.
Do people even go to rehab for cocaine? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that. That’s an honest question, not trying to belittle drug addiction, I’ve just never heard of someone having a crazy weekend in Vegas and then immediately going to rehab. And yes I know the positive drug test was back in December but if you don’t think this was a post fight blow out party and then a severe monday hangover rehab appointment then you’ve never been to Vegas. We’ve all had the thought, been in that situation. Fly back late Sunday night, have that little pep talk to yourself about cleaning up your life. Sitting on the airplane covered in sweat and shame. It’s a rite of passage for all men. But then you wake up Monday, you have a really bad hangover, your mouth is as dry as the desert and your body physically aches like an NFL running back after a 35 carry game and you just suck it up. Not saying this makes me or anyone else tough, it’s just a reality of the sitation. You make a shit load of mistakes and do a bunch of things you aren’t proud of then you move on with your life and leave the past in the past. Never heard of someone going to rehab instead. Strange strange move. Not to sound like a hardo but do you even Vegas Jon?