UFC: Jon Jones' B sample confirms failed test

File Photo: Jon Jones (Image Courtesy: Youtube)

Bengaluru, September 13: Jon Jones test failure has been officialy confirmed by the USADA and he could be rescinded of his light heavyweight title after the agency's ruling which is expected to take place in the near future.

Jones beat Daniel Cormier to re-gain the UFC light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 214 in Anaheim, California. He is yet to be stripped of the belt, pending the USADA adjudication process. Jones' victory, though, is likely to be overturned into a no contest by CSAC.

The 'B' sample taken from Jones in an in-competition collection July 28 in relation to UFC 214 came back positive on Tuesday (September 12) for 'Turinabol', the steroid he tested positive for in the 'A' sample.

'MMA Fighting' confirmed the earlier break from 'ESPN' with UFC vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky.

"Mr. Jones' B sample has confirmed the A sample findings," USADA said in a statement through a spokesperson. "Importantly - as previously stated - due process should occur before drawing any conclusions about this matter."

The tainted UFC light heavyweight champ now begins his arbitration process with USADA, the UFC's anti-doping partner. He is also set to appear for a disciplinary hearing in front of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) tentatively on October 17 in Los Angeles.

Jones could now face up to a four-year suspension from USADA as this is his second offence. The last time, he was handed a one-year suspension as he tested positive for the banned substances clomiphene and Letrozol.

With the latest test failure, Jones' team says he could have ingested the steroid unknowingly, possibly via a tainted supplement.

Jones, one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, passed a drug test taken via a blood sample on July 29, the day of the Cormier fight.

But USADA's blood tests are complementary to urine ones and this one did not test for Turinabol, which Jones tested positive for in the urine collection taken a day earlier.

(Source: MMA Fighting)