Jones failed a USADA drug test after the presence of Letrozole and Hydroxy-Clomiphene was found in both his test samples. Luckily for Jones, he was able to produce a supplement that contained those two substances but did not list them as ingredients. Jones also failed to disclose the supplement to USADA beforehand.
Jones and his legal team were able to provide the sexual enhancement supplement that was independently tested and confirmed to contain the two substances. Despite being able to provide the tainted supplement, Jones was still handed the maximum allowed 1-year suspension.
Since both Letrozole and Hydroxy-Clomiphene are listed as “specified substances” by USADA, meaning they are more likely to have a non-doping explanation, they do not carry the possible 2-year suspension that other substances do.
While other cases of fighters being able to produce tainted supplements (i.e Yoel Romero) have resulted in as little as a six-month suspension, the arbitrator in this case believed Jones did not do his due diligence in ensuring he knew the ingredients of the substance he was taking.
As a result of what the arbitrator referred to as “reckless” actions, Jones was handed the maximum penalty. The 1-year suspension is retroactive to July 6th, 2016.
