UFC Champ Jon Jones Enters Rehab For One Day After Testing Positive For Cocaine

Jon Jones seemed to have it all. He rose to the top of the light heavyweight division and has been able to defend his title several times. Jones also has many sponsors and even companies that use him as a representative for their brand, including Reebok. So when the shocking news came out that the UFC champ Jon Jones enters rehab after testing positive for cocaine, many people were shocked and confused.

This shocking news came just days after his title fight win at UFC 182. The light heavyweight champion Jon Jones tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite found in cocaine which can be detected in urine. Even though Jones tested positive right before his fight, he still fought at UFC 182 and defeated Daniel Cormier by unanimous decision, which was his eighth consecutive title defense.

People are in outrage, wanting to know why he was allowed to fight. The Nevada State Athletic Commission states that benzoylecgonine is not banned in out of competition testing. This also calls for a deeper look into the programs banned substances. If cocaine is illegal to use, why is it not a banned substance during competition? Many claim that because of Jon’s status and the high volume of money this fight was bringing in was why the fight continued on.

Jones states, “With the support of my family, I have entered into a drug treatment facility,” Jones continues on, “I want to apologize to my fiancee, my children, as well as my mother, father, and brothers for the mistake that I made. I also want to apologize to the UFC, my coaches, my sponsors and equally important to my fans. I am taking this treatment program very seriously. Therefore, at this time my family and I would appreciate privacy.”

So the UFC champ Jon Jones enters rehab, but for only one day? The MMA community was in an uproar with what they thought was just Jones entering rehab to appease the UFC owners and president. In an interview with FOX Sports Live, Jones claims he did a 24 hour examination and the doctors determined he would be better suited for an outpatient program. Jones is now taking part in an outpatient program that the facility offered to him. He states he has random drug tests on a weekly basis and has a counselor that continues to check in on him.

He admits there is no excuse for what he did and will not make any excuses. He states that he “messed up” and is now trying to move forward with his life. The UFC did end up fining Jones $25,000 for violating the fighter Code of Conduct. With the UFC fighters being in the news more frequently for testing positive for banned substances, the UFC may want to re-evaluate their fines and testing procedures to ensure this type of behavior does not become a common theme.

Watch interview here:
http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/1/20/7855827/video-jon-jones-talks-rehab-cocaine-past-and-more-on-fox-sports-live