The USADA’s Statement On Jon Jones’ Doping Charge Leaves Some Hope He Might Get Back On UFC 200 Card

News of Jon Jones’ reported doping violation rocked the MMA world last night, just days before the interim light heavyweight champion was set to fight Daniel Cormier in this weekend’s UFC 200 main event.

Jones broke down into tears at a press conference on Thursday when he was addressing the allegations and his absence from UFC’s highly-anticipated PPV event, and it’s sure that many fans are feeling the same way – especially those who forked over money to go to Las Vegas and watch the touted bout live.

Now, the USADA has released a statement about Jones’ ongoing case, and unfortunately, it doesn’t bode that well for the fighter getting back on the card Saturday night. There is, however, a glimmer of hope. The statement was provided by USADA spokesman Ryan Madden in correspondence with Fox Sports.

“Given that Mr. Jones has spoken publicly about the issue, I can confirm that he has been notified of a potential anti-doping policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition test on June 16. Mr. Jones’ B-sample is currently being analyzed by the independent WADA-accredited laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah, and we have requested that the laboratory report those results to us as soon as possible. While at this time we are not going to provide any further specifics of the case, I can tell you that Mr. Jones will be provided full due process under the rules,” Madden said in a statement released to FOX Sports.

“I can also confirm that USADA has been in communication with the Nevada State Athletic Commission regarding Mr. Jones’ potential violation and that we are working to ensure that the Commission has the necessary information to fully adjudicate this matter in accordance with its rules.”

Although Jones has publicly denied using any banned substances, he still remains pulled from UFC 200’s marquee card while results from his B samples are analyzed. Unfortunately, a timeline on those results has not been confirmed, so although there’s a sliver of hope, it’s still a grave uncertainty that Bones would take on Cormier come Saturday night.

Jones will still be afforded an appeals process regardless of the result of the test and his manager Malki Kawa said on Thursday that there’s always a possibility that the fighter could have been the victim of a tainted supplement he took during his training camp.

There’s no exact timeline for the adjudication process involving Jones or when a potential sanction could be handed down to the veteran light heavyweight if he is punished for the anti-doping policy infraction.

Fighters could be suspended up to two-years or more for a first time positive test, but USADA retains the right to change a suspension depending on circumstances surrounding the positive test.

What a huge blow to the UFC if Jones is indeed sidelined, as it stands right now.

Just couldn’t imagine having my dinner ruined with news like that. Talk about losing your appetite. Damn.

[via Fox Sports]