Issue 176
March 2019
The UFC finds itself on the horns of a dilemma with Bones.
The debate – and the dilemma – rages on. We are confused, dazed, and complicit in a dirty secret: we can't stop ourselves wanting to see Jon Jones fight again.
Despite his transgressions. Jones, back in the frame, carries such importance as a figure in mixed martial arts. He is without question the most talented fighter we have ever seen. Now, though, horribly flawed.
Jones has divided the sport, the fans and our sensibilities. The testing of Jones, and what has shown up in his body, has brought the sport's ethics into question. It has shown that MMA is a sport, but perhaps more than that, it is a business. A business that will not be denied in this instance.
Jones ripped the heart out of Alexander Gustafsson in their second encounter in the New Year. Effortless. But the backdrop was horrible to see, feel, hear and experience. UFC 232 arguably complicated the 'Jones Story' even further.
In December, USADA and Nevada were seen to do the right thing, NSAC, of course, announcing that they felt that they were unable to licence the fighter in their state. Jones had tested positive for a trace amount of DHCMT, also known as Turinabol.
It was described as a “pulsing” effect, meaning that it was still in his system from his 2017 positive test that led to the 15-month suspension. It was described as not a new ingestion – a picogram – an extremely minuscule amount. But no one knew what to believe. Or how. Or even understood the science. Black clouds all round.
Nevada reasoned there was a lack of time for a thorough investigation, and at this point, the UFC, trying hard as they have done to eradicate doping in the sport, switched to California for business reasons. But it was deeply troubling, and brought into question the very fabric of testing variance. Fingers of blame pointed in every direction. Egg on the faces of USADA, the UFC, and Jones.
Should he have been fighting at all? Should he have been banished and disbelieved? Yet Jones, suspended for heinous acts of doping, appears to have been afforded leniency compared to others who have transgressed.
Why? Because he sells, because of the mere fact that we crave seeing him in action. It's an addiction, that dirty secret I mentioned earlier.
Be honest, would you want to see him face Daniel Cormier at heavyweight? Or would you prefer DC vs. Brock Lesnar?
You know the answer... it's hard to admit, but you know it's true. One of the remarkable things if you look anywhere on social media, there are even dozens of trolls denigrating 'DC' for his attacks on Jones on a daily basis.
Truth is, Cormier is fully entitled to eschew the dotted line to face Jones regardless of the millions of dollars on offer to him if he does sign. No one could blame him if he never wanted a sighting of his hated rival again.
DC, after all, suffered the cancellation of a fight at UFC 200 because of Jones’ first failed drug test, then had the stoppage defeat to Jones at UFC 214 overturned post-fight due to his rival's second failed drug test. Cormier's ire is utterly comprehensible.
Ethically, should we/USADA/UFC be granting Jones redemption for a third time? No, is the right answer. Yes, is the one we furtively hold close. It remains MMA's greatest dilemma.
When money speaks, flaws become invisible.
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