Disclaimer: I do not claim any content in this article to be factual. I’ve written this article for entertainment purposes, based on my findings online, but I take no responsibility for the reliability of the information within this article.


December 4th, 2014
Having arrived back to Albequerque, New Mexico just a few days ago from Brazil, Jones takes a random out-of-competition drug test, which is performed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
They take not one but two tests because the first test seems ”watery”. Both tests are positive for cocaine metabolites.
But here’s where it gets serious: cocaine is not the most newsworthy detail of Jones’ drug test results, even though the UFC makes it look as such. His testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio (commonly referred to as “T:E ratio”) and testosterone levels are alarming


Jones’ T:E ratio is abnormally low in the first test: 0.29:1. An average T:E ratio is 1:1 although averages differ based on, for example, ethnic background. T:E ratio tells us how much testosterone he has in his body compared to the amount of epitestosterone – it doesn’t, however, tell us anything about his actual testosterone levels.


Having such a low T:E ratio indicates either a health problem (unlikely considering Jones is such a big, dominating athlete) or cycling off from testosterone usage. When you take synthetic testosterone, your body stops producing its own testosterone. Once you stop taking synthetic testosterone, it can take from weeks to months – depending on the case – for your testosterone production to re-start, which then leads to abnormally low testosterone levels. So with that said…


Jones’ testosterone level is at 1.8 ng/ml – a more common way of putting it is 180 ng/dl while normal for an average adult is between 350 ng/dl and 1000 ng/dl. Since we’re talking about one of the top athletes in the sport, it’s highly unlikely that his testosterone levels would be lower than average, or as in this case, almost 50% below what’s considered the minimal normal amount.


Considering his age and achievements in the sport, it’s reasonable to assume that his natural levels are well over the minimal normal amount. Being that much lower is absurd.


December 18th, 2014
Jones takes another test which later comes back clean of cocaine metabolites.
Interestingly, the executive director of the NSAC, Bob Bennett, now claims Jones was never tested for recreational drugs on December 18th, claiming how a test for recreational drugs was never supposed to be a part of an out-of-competition test. In a picture of the December 18th drug test (published by Kevin Iole on Twitter), it clearly shows that Jones was tested for narcotics.


This time, Jones’ T:E ratio has sunk even lower than in the December 4th test: 0.19:1. This isn’t just abnormally low anymore like the previous test was – here we have a relatively significant change from previous results as well. It should be noted, though, that urine tests aren’t the most reliable when it comes to testosterone testing (they need blood for more accurate results).
But curiously, his testosterone and epitestosterone levels have changed quite significantly… higher, that is. Two weeks after the first test, his results now show 4.9 ng/ml or 490 ng/dl for testosterone. Not abnormally high, but 2.7 times his previous result. Weird.


His epitestosterone levels have gone from 6.1 ng/ml to 27 ng/ml which is 4.4 times more than in the previous test. (With athletes, an increase in epitestorone levels is usually a sign of attempt to hide rising testosterone levels, which would keep the T:E ratio within allowable limits).


I would love to know why the NSAC has so far failed to further study these abnormal testosterone and epitestosterone results. The NSAC’s threshold ratio is 6:1, meaning if you have a ridiculous amount of testosterone compared to epitestosterone – like in the case of Alistair Overeem (14:1) and Chael Sonnen (16.9:1) – you’ll get caught.


But they should absolutely test for abnormally low results as well and not let them fly under the radar. Either the person has a serious health problem or something else is going on, and I’d be willing to bet on the latter in the majority of the cases where top-level athletes are tested.


Even though most MMA news sites are still focused on the cocaine storyline, hopefully the NSAC is pressured to perform Carbon Isotope Ratio (CIR) tests on the backup samples, which should be able to detect synthetic testosterone. CIR tests cost more and are usually performed only when a positive test has been challenged; this time it would be a disgrace to the sport if these negative tests weren’t challenged.


December 23rd, 2014.
The NSAC gets the results of the first test back and, as mentioned, finds the test positive for cocaine metabolites, known as Benzoylecgonine.
Interestingly, Jon Jones, the person being tested, doesn’t find out about the results at this point. He’s only notified two days after the fight, and not by the NSAC who performed the tests, but the UFC.
Technically, Jones violates no rules since it was an out-of-competition test and recreational drugs aren’t prohibited out-of-competition. The definition for in-competition is 12 hours before the fight or after the fight – an almost useless time window, not only because the weigh-ins happen more than 24 hours before the fight – and everything not considered in-competition is considered out-of-competition.


Side Note: A prescription drug called Esterom includes Benzoylecgonine (cocaine metabolites) and is used to relieve muscle pain. Theoretically, one can be on Esterom but it wouldn’t be a medically valid explanation due to Esterom being illegal in the US and not approved by the FDA. I don’t know if there are more drugs like Esterom.


January 3rd, 2014.
Fight night. Both Jones and Cormier take urine tests before and after the fight. The results haven’t come out yet.


January 5th/6th, 2014.
The UFC notifies Jones of the failed test. Why were the UFC notified of the results before Jon Jones, especially since allegedly no rules were violated? How is it the UFC’s business what Jon Jones has used if he violates no rules, and why do they deserve to know about it before the person being tested?


Theoretically, it would make sense for both the NSAC and the UFC to cover up these results until after the fight, and preferably forever. The results only came out due to some reporter contacting NSAC and requesting access to the results, which are public records. It’s possible, if not highly probably, that the results would have stayed ”hidden” and never been announced.


The first quarter of the year is an important one for the UFC as their credit rating was downgraded at the end of 2014. They’ve just announced a huge sponsorship deal with Reebok. They want this big fight with lots of build-up, marketing dollars and hype behind it to happen. And just as importantly, with some of their biggest stars either retiring or getting injured, they don’t want the negative press for one of their brightest stars.


According to his statement, Jones checks into a drug rehab facility. No discipline from the UFC even though Jon Jones has obviously violated their Code of Conduct. If anything, Dana White is proud of him for checking into rehab.
The NSAC’s interests are likely aligned with the UFC. The more shows the UFC puts on in Nevada, the better it is for the NSAC. To my understanding, they get compensated based on how well an event performs. If they’re being too strict in any way, the UFC can easily look at other venues for their fights.


Furthermore, the UFC likely has great connections to the NSAC. One of the owners of the UFC, Lorenzo Fertitta, was a commissioner for the NSAC before getting involved in the UFC, and Marc Ratner, the current Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at the UFC, was previously the Executive Director of the NSAC.


Dana White appeared on FX1 a while ago and confirmed they (the UFC) were aware of the drug results well before the fight took place. Since Jones only found out after the fight, it seems possible the UFC and the NSAC made some plans together… but you never know.


Some reporters have stated the NSAC are unable to punish Jon Jones for a positive out-of-competition recreational drug test. Wrong. See NRS 467.157 / Revocation of License which basically allows them to discipline him for any ”sufficient” reason. Then again, how would they look disciplining him now, considering they knew about the results well before the fight took place?