UFC strips Jon Jones of interim belt after doping suspension

Jones is no longer interim UFC light heavyweight champion. Photo: Disclosure

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After being suspended by USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency) for a year for having been caught in a surprise drug test shortly before his fight at UFC 200, in July, Jon Jones received another punishment this Wednesday (9). Dana White, president of the UFC, announced that Jones lost the interim light heavyweight champion belt, won by the fighter in April this year, when he defeated Ovince St Preux at UFC 197.

"Jon Jones He ruined everything in the worst way that a guy with so much talent could ruin it. The greatest talent of all time and the biggest disappointment of all time”, declared the UFC president to “ESPN” (USA).

This is the second time that Jones has had his division belt taken away after situations outside the Octagon. The first occurred in April 2015, when he was involved in a car accident and fled without helping the victim, a pregnant woman.

The punishment applied to Jones by USADA will be retroactive, referring to the date on which his exam results were announced. Thus, Jones will be free to fight again in July 2017.