The United States Anti-Doping Agency announced today that Rochester native Jon 'Bones' Jones could return to the octagon as soon as October 28th after being handed a 15-month suspension.
The suspension is retroactive to the failed drug test which took place on July 28, 2017 just one day before UFC 214 where Jones knocked out rival Daniel Cormier to regain his light heavyweight title. Jones tested positive for metabolites of an anabolic steroid.
Jones was facing up to a four-year ban. USADA had recommended an 18-month suspension, but an independent arbitrator reduced it even further in part due to Jones cooperation through the investigation. The arbitrator also took into account that Jones was tested eight times in 10 months surrounding UFC 214, including one within three weeks of the bout, and passed all but one test.
The first major UFC event Jones could potentially be a part of would be UFC 230 which is scheduled to take place on November 3 at Madison Square Garden.
Jones record sits at 22 wins, 1 loss, and 1 no contest. His lone loss was a RIT Hall of Famer Matt Hamill after being disqualified due to illegal elbows. His win at UFC 214 was overturned to a no contest following the positive drug test.
Jones previously served a one-year suspension in 2016 after testing positive for two banned substances. He blamed the failed test on a tainted sexual enhancement pill.
Jones' case took more than one year to resolve because of several circumstances. He submitted the failed test one day before he knocked out Daniel Cormier to reclaim the light heavyweight championship at UFC 214. The result of that bout has since been changed to a no contest because of Jones' positive test results.