A major hurdle has been cleared by UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones ahead of UFC 239 because the fighter will get licensed by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) for a main event title defense against Thiago Santos.
Jones has had several drug testing issues in the past, most notably before UFC 200 and after UFC 214, was granted a one fight conditional license by the NAC ahead of a title defense against Anthony Smith at UFC 235.
NAC Executive Director Bob Bennett tells ESPN that Jones is licensed to fight in the state of Nevada for the remainder of the year, but he'll have to reapply again in 2020.
"He's been a consummate professional and given his full cooperation," Bennett said.
The NAC and Jones have had their issues with each other in the past, as UFC 232 was moved from Las Vegas to Inglewood, California after the NAC wouldn?t license Jones to fight due to trace amounts of an illegal substance in the fighter?s system.
UFC 239 takes place on Saturday, July 6 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Jon Jones and Thiago Santos headlining. Fightful is going to be providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.