Jon Jones Fails Drug Test But Will Get To Defend UFC Title

Jon Jones, the current U.F.C. light heavyweight champion, recently tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, reports said.

Along with the revelation came the news that Jones had entered rehab just two days after winning his title bout against Daniel Cormier on Saturday.

Jones was tested twice on Dec. 4, 2014 as part of an out of competition drug screening protocol. Both tests came back positive for the cocaine metabolite. However, a subsequent test which was conducted on Jones on Dec. 18 did not find Jones positive for banned substances like anabolic steroids. However, the test did not cover recreational drugs such as cocaine.

Many pointed to the "anomalous" out of competition testing on Dec. 4, noting that fighters are not usually tested for recreational drugs. The Nevada Athletic Commission (N.A.C.), which learned of the positive test result on Dec. 23, informed the U.F.C of the positive drug test results for Jones on the same day but action was not taken against him on the ground that cocaine metabolite is not a banned substance and that the testing happened out of competition.

The N.A.C. also stated that they plan to check the "administrative oversight" which led to Jones being tested for a recreational drug. The U.F.C., meanwhile, has indicated that the result of Jones's match against Cormier would stand.

Following the revelation of Jones' positive drug tests, some fans questioned how U.F.C. officials allowed him to continue with his title defense after they already learned of the drug test results.

Many other U.F.C. fighters, including his recent opponent Cormier, wished Jones good luck in his drug rehab stint. The U.F.C., in a statement released after Jones entered rehab, supported his decision to seek treatment but also noted their "disappointment" with the test result.

Jones also released a statement through his attorney where he apologized to his family for the "mistake he made," adding that he was entering rehab with the support of his fiancée and children.