USADA and/or independent third parties have never said that Jon Jones took anything intentionally. If you call him a cheater, beware that this is your (biased) opinion and not supported by experts
First USADA adverse result:
"On the evidence before the Panel, the Applicant is not a drug cheat. He did not know that the tablet he took contained prohibited substances or that those substances had the capacity to enhance sporting performance. However by his imprudent use of what he pungently referred to as a "dick pill" he has not only lost a year of his career but an estimated nine million dollars. This outcome which he admits to be a wake-up call for him should serve as a warning to all others who participate in the same sport. "
First of all, it was never clear to me, how was it "proven" that the test was positive due to the dick pills? Did Jones keep the receipt from the shitty dick pills he got at the bodega? Was it ever said who manufactured these dick pills? Is it pure coincidence that he took them prior to his fight? Did he derive a performance benefit from them anyway? Because if he did, that is still fighting in a juiced state, oblivious or not. What is an elite athelte in his 20's doing taking dick pills, anyway? Is Jones truly stupid enough to buy random dick pills at a chinese store instead of a legit place? Were his levels consistent with regular juicing? Anyway, none of these thing were ever clear to me, which is the reason that I have my doubts, and the test, after all, was positive. But in the end, who knows.
Second adverse result:
“The independent arbitrator found that Jon Jones was not intentionally cheating in this case, and while we thought 18-months was the appropriate sanction given the other circumstances of the case, we respect the arbitrator’s decision and believe that justice was served,” USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart said in a statement.
Why was it thought he did not cheat intentionally? Was it ever clarified where the prohibited substance came from? Which "supplement"? I remember Joe speculating that it was tainted cocaine. But again, did Jon present some of his cocaine stash to be tested? What's the hypothesis here, if it isn't cheating? Again a big coincidence? Turinabol is a substance that is ilegal, to the point that there is almost no literature or documented human tests on it outside one Russian doctor, and we are supposed to think this shit is being thrown in random supplements? Not saying it isn't, but what's the proof here? Again, there is room for doubt.
And now the last issue regarding long-term metabolites
After examining the scientific literature on this substance and the extensive testing history on Jones and consulting with leading scientific experts, USADA has concluded that the extremely low level of DHCMT in Mr. Jones’ December 9, 2018 sample is consistent with residual amounts from his prior exposure for which he was previously sanctioned.
USADA has also concluded that consistent with the prior finding by the independent arbitrator, at these extremely low levels, Jones obtained no performance enhancement from this level. The level reported was at approximately 60 pg/mL and there was no parent drug or other metabolites of the drug in his sample. As a result of these findings, USADA has determined that Mr. Jones is not facing a violation per the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.
I watched the Novitzky podcast with Rogan on this, and I know he's not a doctor. But from what he said, I left, again, with many doubts. So, it's consistent with the residual amount, but is it also consistent with him potentially juicing during his suspension? Or after it? Why is it popping now and not before? Is there a real scientific understanding of how this substance behaves, how long it stays in one's system, and if the metabolites provide any performance benefits? If so, where does this understanding come from? Which tests, which experiemnts? Again, Novitzky said repeatedly that this t-bol stuff is rare, highly ilegal and has been mostly documented by that Russian doctor of the Icarus documentary, and nobody else. There might be some proof or info I'm missing, but from the POV of the common man, these are some of the questions that come to mind. I still think of Jones as one of the GOATs, but I'm not sold on his lack of juicing without more definitive proof. I can't really think of anybody else who tested positive 3 times and was clean.
