Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has been dealing with a potential USADA punishment since failing a drug test in line with UFC 214.
There has been no punishment handed out by USADA since the violation was announced, but Jones’ manager in Abe Kawa hopes to hear something from them soon.
“It’s complicated,” Kawa said on The MMA Hour. “USADA does a very good job. People are banging on them and hating on them. There’s things I do not agree with with USADA. I’ve told them behind closed doors things I don’t agree with. But USADA does a very good job. They’ve done a very good job cleaning up the sport. It’s imperative that they get this right. It’s imperative that they get this case right, because of who Jon is. And I think they’re doing the best they can to get it right. With that being said, I’m confident that we will have a decision soon. I just don’t want to put a date on it and say, it’s gonna come down at this time, it’s gonna come at that time. There is a decision coming and it’s hopefully sooner rather than later.”
Jones has already received a punishment from the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), which included a revoking of his fighters license and a fine of $205,000.
Kawa says that his client is in a good place, despite all that the former champion has gone through since the USADA violation.
“He’s in a good place,” Kawa said. “He’s anxious to get back more than anything. People you say you get that itch — he’s got an itch, man. It’s bad. I actually feel bad for the next guy that fights him. I really do. Not saying he’s going to take it all out on him. But he’s sharpening his tools to where you thought he was good before, wait until you see him now.”
Even though Kawa hopes that USADA announces any potential punishments soon, no time frame has been given by the drug testing agency yet for when that announcement could come.
