As we head into another Jon Jones fight week, the UFC Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance for the UFC, Jeff Novitzky sent a tweet out which may be seen as a preventative measure to ease tensions regarding drug testing the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
In 2019, @JonnyBones was subject to 42 no-notice drug tests by 3 separate entities (USADA, CSAC and NSAC). In my 20 years experience in the anti-doping world, this is the highest volume of yearly tests that I have ever seen on one athlete, in any sport.
— Jeff Novitzky (@JeffNovitzkyUFC) February 3, 2020
The tweet appears to head off any scrutiny that might come due to the fact that Jones has shown traces of the banned substance turinabol in his system which doctors attribute to the long-term pulsing effect of the M3 metabiolite detected in 2017. There has not been a clear answer as to why Jones has the substance in his system. Despite no concrete answers, USADA has concluded that after a thorough investigation, that it does not provide Jones any athletic advantage or benefit. As a result, USADA zero tolerance policy had to make amends for Jones.
Payout Perspective:
Novitzky’s defense of Jones is common when it comes to some of the company’s bigger stars. You may recall that the UFC and USADA came to the swift defense of Nate Diaz prior to UFC 244 when a tainted supplement could have led to a provisional suspension. Yet, it has not done the same with other fighters. The tweet seems like an over-exuberant way to ensure that any questions about Jones’ drug testing are answered prior to further inquiries. Is this fair? Does the UFC VP of Athlete Health and Performance need to come to the defense of the contracted athletes or should they be more of an impartial party when it comes to drug testing? It would seem that there are special cases with certain athletes, but not others. Where that line is drawn is something we don’t know.
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