Earlier this evening news broke that former UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones had received a 15-month suspension from USADA, making him eligible to return on October 28.
The arbitrator in the case ruled that there was “no intention” by Jones to cheat, this despite the fact a source for the substance was never confirmed.
Shortly following the news, Jon Jones released the following statement on Twitter.
“It’s difficult to express myself at this moment but I can definitely say my heart is filled with gratitude and appreciation. I want to thank all of you who have stood by me during the toughest stretch of my life. It has meant the world to me and always will. But now is the time to shift the focus front and center to the road ahead. Greatness is what I’m chasing and the path to reclaiming my throne is now officially open. Comeback Season begins now.” -Jon Jones
It didn’t take long for Jon Jones biggest rival Daniel Cormier to chime in on today’s big news. “DC” went off on both Jon Jones and USADA shortly following the announcement. (See that here)
As expected, many fellow fighters decided to weigh-in on today’s Jon Jones news and let’s just say the reactions were mixed.
Now I understand #usada is n.1 bullshit people.
To much politics.— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 20, 2018
No shade to JJ but no one is surprised by this arbitrary decision , USADA is steadily losing respect in the fight community to the point of questioning why they even exist 🤨 https://t.co/AhVmwBvBEr
— Curtis Blaydes (@RazorBlaydes265) September 20, 2018
Felicidades @JonnyBones !! Happy for you bro! #iluhju https://t.co/xxncwTyKDP
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) September 20, 2018
You ever hear people say “MMA is fake” or “UFC is fixed”? This Jon Jones shit is what they mean, it’s not the outcomes but the idea of “sport” itself that is fixed. Money rules all. What a fucking joke
— REAL Norman Smiley account (@FilthyTomLawlor) September 19, 2018
Congrats @JonnyBones #comebackseason #realisback https://t.co/PmTmQwCRla
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) September 20, 2018
Welcome back @JonnyBones 2.0!
— Siyar Bahadurzada (@Siyarized) September 20, 2018
The 🐐 of arbitration! #freedbone$ https://t.co/5h36zo1PHv
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) September 20, 2018
Welcome back @JonnyBones and hey mthafkas don’t say I didn’t tell you so…!! #ufc230 https://t.co/FIHfFHszVf
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) September 20, 2018
What did you think of the suspension handed down on Jon Jones? Sound off in the comments section PENN Nation!