Disgraced light heavyweight Jon Jones has decided to pass on additional drug testing under VADA ahead of his UFC 232 rematch against Alexander Gustafsson.
Jon Jones will be competing at UFC 232 as scheduled, at least as things stand. And he will be subject to drug testing by both the athletic commission, and USADA (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency), who run the UFC’s Anti-Doping program. However, despite the California State Athletic Commission suggesting Jones subject himself to additional testing under VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency), the former champion who has been stripped of UFC titles on three separate occasions has declined to take part.
MMA Junkie reported Wednesday that they had been informed of Jones’ decision by CSAC executive director Andy Foster. The commission had granted Jones a temporary fight license earlier this month. With a USADA suspension up, that was the final hurdle for Jones to clear prior to returning to action.
Jones participation in the VADA program was voluntary, though suggested by the commission to help improve his tarnished image. Jones has two anti-doping test failures that have resulted in the loss of titles (the other incident that saw a title stripped came as the result of a hit and run accident in which Jones crashed his vehicle into that of a pregnant woman, then fled the scene on foot). However, the disgraced star, who also struggled with driving under the influence and recreational drug use earlier in his career, has been adamant that he has not knowingly cheated.
UFC 232 takes place December 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, CA. Expect Jones’ opponent Alexander Gustafsson to have plenty to say about Bones’ decision to say no to VADA.
