Just days after I was impressed by the incredible effort of Johnny “Bones” Jones at UFC 182, I sit here saddened as the news has just broke that he failed his pre fight drug test.
He didn’t fail for it the normal reason most fighters do however, it was shocking to discover that he failed it because traces of cocaine were found in his system. This is not only a fail for the fighter, but also a giant letdown for his legions of fans. He tested positive for benzoylecgonine, the primary metabolite of cocaine.
UFC President and voice of the organization, Dana White, wasted no time going into immediate damage control and showed full support for his fighter when he released these comments earlier this evening,
“I am proud of Jon Jones for making the decision to enter a drug treatment facility. I’m confident that he’ll emerge from this program like the champion he truly is.”
Earlier this week, the conversation was in full force if Jon Jones was truly the greatest fighter in MMA history, and an argument this reporter was eager to make. For now, Jones will have to face the toughest test of his life, this one not coming in the cage but in his soul. He has every physical ability a fighter and any athlete can ever be blessed with. For the longest time, it was seen as the only person who could defeat Jones would be himself, sadly, this is exactly what occurred.
His most recent victory came Saturday night in the much-hyped UFC 182 encounter against Daniel Cormier. It was seen as the toughest test of his career and Jones went through Cormier with ease, winning four of five rounds and successfully defending his title for the eighth straight time since winning the title back at UFC 128 against Mauricio Shogun Rua.
When reached for comment, his UFC 182 opponent Daniel Cormier had these words,
“I am aware of Jon’s test, and if there is anything to say it is this: there are a lot of people you impact, so please let’s get it together. Good luck on your rehab!”
This is just the latest of several incidents with Jones inside and outside of the cage that have many wondering if the wunderkind can handle the pressures of fame at such a young age. He has been criticized by fans and media for repeatedly poking his opponents in the eyes.
He was arrested on May 19, 2012, for driving his Bentley Continental GT into a pole in Binghamton, New York. He later pled guilty to DUI charges.
At this point, we can only hope that Jones gets his act together soon, as with his talent he has all the tools to be the biggest role model in sports. No one, and I mean no one, wants to see this young phenomena turn into the next Mike Tyson.
What I find most interesting is that since Jones was considered to out of competition, he will not be subject to punishment by the Nevada Athletic Commission. I agree with Bob Bennett, NAC executive director, when he says “We will be addressing that anomaly.”