Reebok is "standing by UFC light-heavyweight champ Jon Jones as he heads to rehab after being flagged for cocaine in a recent drug test," according to Steven Marrocco of MMA JUNKIE. Reebok, which last month signed Jones to an endorsement deal, in a statement yesterday said, "We commend Jon for taking the necessary steps to address this issue, and we will support him in any way we can. The status of Jon’s relationship with Reebok has not changed.” The UFC also has "pledged its support" to Jones (MMAJUNKIE.com, 1/6). In Las Vegas, Adam Hill noted a test "administered to Jones by the Nevada Athletic Commission on Dec. 4 came back positive for the main metabolite in cocaine, benzoylecgonine." But because he was "considered to be out of competition, Jones was not subject to punishment." NAC Exec Dir Bob Bennett said that the issue "will be discussed by the commission at a future date." The UFC in a statement said of Jones, "While we are disappointed in the failed test, we applaud him for making this decision to enter a drug treatment facility" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 1/7). In L.A., Lance Pugmire reports Jones is "expected to retain" his title, and UFC President Dana White "declined to answer if his company will sanction Jones." Bennett said that the NAC "will explore discipline" for Jones. But he added that the World Anti-Doping Agency "does not allow for sports bodies to suspend a fighter from competition when the street drug is found in out-of-competition testing" (LATIMES.com, 1/6).
LEAGUE OF DENIAL? YAHOO SPORTS' Kevin Iole noted the NAC "knew that Jones tested positive a month prior" to Saturday's fight, yet he was permitted to fight as scheduled and "made his entire $500,000 purse, minus the $50,000" deducted by the commission for a brawl at an August news conference. The NAC "did nothing because it had no legal authority to do anything." The UFC "doesn't appear to have had the ability to pull Jones" from Saturday's event (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/6). But SI.com's Jeff Wagenheim writes under the header, "Jon Jones' Cocaine Revelation Shows Contradictions In UFC Drug Policy." When an athlete "fails a drug test and is allowed to compete a few weeks later, eyebrows will be raised." Jones' bout against Daniel Cormier last Saturday was "a big-money fight between the sport’s crème de la crème." If this "ballyhooed bout had been canceled, it would have been a kick to the gut -- and wallet -- for the UFC," and the state of Nevada "wouldn’t have received its cut" (SI.com, 1/7).
