Jon Jones explains why he declined to undergo additional VADA testing

At a hearing earlier this month, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), advised former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones to enroll in VADA drug testing in addition to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) drug testing that he’s subject to as a UFC fighter. This extra testing was not mandatory, merely encouraged.

“I, for one, would like to put the doubts to sleep and to put them away once and for all,” commissioner Martha Shen-Urquidez told Jones at the hearing. “And for people to believe you, that you are that talented and that you are the greatest, and that you can win a fight just clean, and that this is Jon Jones, and to put those doubts away once and for all.”

At first, Jon Jones and his team seemed open to this idea, although his attorney Howard Jacobs said they would need more information before committing.

In the end, however, Jon Jones and his team declined to partake in this additional testing, choosing instead to stick to the USADA testing that all UFC fighters are subject to. CSAC director Andy Foster confirmed this news to MMAjunkie on Wednesday.

Speaking on the UFC 232 pre-fight conference call, Jon Jones gave a quick explanation as to why he’s declined this additional testing, and promised to give more information after his UFC 232 fight with Alexander Gustafsson.

Apparently, his priority is simply on his looming fight.

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“It’s all a pretty new conversation,” Jones explained (via MMAjunkie). It’s something I haven’t been putting too much energy into. Every ounce of my mind, body and spirit has been dominated with this next fight.

“I don’t want to speak out of turn when it comes to these companies,” Jones said. “These companies are pretty serious companies, and I want to get my mind around the whole situation before speaking more on it.”

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 12/21/2018.