Tag: Drug Free Sport

Jon Jones refutes arrest reports, vows to ‘vigorously defend’ against accusations

Jon Jones says he was not arrested after being accused of threatening drug test sample collectors.

UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] is becoming frustrated with some reports surrounding an incident that occurred at his home during a recent drug test sample collection.

Jones was accused of threatening Drug Free Sport International (DFSI) sample collectors on March 30, leading to a summons to be issued by Albuquerque (N.M.) Police Department (APD) for assault and interference with communications.

While Jones admitted to using profanity during the sample collection, he denied threatening the workers in a statement given to the police.

On Sunday, an online report stated Jones was arrested, but APD or online booking records could not confirm that he was taken into custody. Jones acknowledged that he may be an “easy target” given his past troubles but ultimately took exception to those reports in a statement on X.

“I wanted to address some misinformation that has been circulating this morning,” Jones wrote. “I woke up to false reports that I had been arrested. I have not been arrested. In fact, I am currently in Texas with my daughters at a volleyball tournament.

“I must admit, it’s disappointing to have to clarify these things again, but I understand that I may be an easy target given some of my past issues. It’s important to set the record straight and make sure the truth is told.”

Jones continued:

“I was recently visited by testers while I was celebrating a birthday and taking a nap. Upon waking up, I was caught off guard by the unprofessionalism and protocol by one of the testers which caused frustration leading me to use some profanity I regret. However, I want to emphasize that at no point did I threaten, get in anyone’s face, raise my voice to anyone or engage in any form of assault.

“It’s unfortunate that false news has been spread without proper fact-checking. I want to assure you that I will vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations. The truth is, the incident simply did not occur.”

 

MMA Junkie has reached out to the UFC about the situation, who acknowledged the request, but have not yet provided comment.

Police: Jon Jones admits he was ‘bothered,’ apologized to sample collectors for swearing

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones spoke to police about allegedly threatening drug test sample collectors at his home.

UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] admits he was “bothered” by a recent Drug Free Sport International (DFSI) sample collection, but apologized for using foul language.

According to an updated Albuquerque (N.M.) Police Department (APD) narrative, Jones was contacted by telephone on April 6 to give his account of what occurred at his home during a March 30 sample collection. Jones was accused of threatening the workers.

Jones said he was “bothered” by the sample collectors’ presence because he was hungover. He admitted to the usage of profanity during the testing process but did not make any threats of harming or killing anyone. Jones said he read the report the worker gave to the UFC numerous times and labeled her as a liar.

The UFC champ also stated he never threatened to sue one of the workers to take all her assets. However, did say he would sue the other collector for bringing his girlfriend to his home, which Jones considered a HIPAA violation because he did not know them personally.

While present at his residence, Jones said he never got closer to the workers than when he gave them a high-five as they were leaving, as shown on a surveillance video shared on social media. Inside the home, Jones said he accidentally picked up the worker’s phone, thinking it was his own, and placed it back on the counter.

At the conclusion of the testing session, Jones was asked if there were any statements that he would like to give to DFSI. “Tell everyone at headquarters not to send people to my home so early, because it could be a dangerous environment,” Jones said. He clarified a party or multiple people could be present at his home.

Jones believes the worker was upset with him for using profanity during the sample collection and therefore gave the police a fabricated story. He says both workers were calm throughout the entire process and never appeared to be scared.

Police issued Jones a summons citing two offenses: assault and interference with communications. According to the updated police report, Jones was notified he would receive the summons in the mail and was also provided an evidence link to upload his surveillance footage.

Jones further addressed the situation Sunday on X, refuting reports stating that he was arrested:

Hello everyone, I wanted to address some misinformation that has been circulating this morning . I woke up to false reports that I had been arrested . I have not been arrested. In fact, I am currently in Texas with my daughters at a volleyball tournament. I must admit, it’s disappointing to have to clarify these things again , but I understand that I may be an easy target given some of my past issues. it’s important to set the record straight and make sure the truth is told . I was recently visited by testers while I was celebrating a birthday and taking a nap. Upon waking up, I was caught off guard by the unprofessionalism and protocol by one of the testers which caused frustration leading me to use some profanity I regret. However, I want to emphasize that at no point did I threaten , get in anyone’s face , raise my voice to anyone or engage in any form of assault. It’s unfortunate that false news has been spread without proper fact-checking. I want to assure you that I will vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations. The truth is, the incident simply did not occur.

MMA Junkie has reached out to the UFC, who acknowledged the request, but have not yet provided comment.

Video: Is the UFC’s post-USADA anti-doping program better for fighters?

With full details revealed, our “Spinning Back Clique” discusses the expectations for the new UFC anti-doping program.

Details surrounding the UFC’s new anti-doping program have been revealed.

The promotion has cut ties with U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and rolled out a new program with testing to be handled by Drug Free Sport International. Administration and sanctioning will be overseen independently by Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD), headed by president George Piro.

On the surface, there appear to be many similarities between the two programs. Fighters will still be expected to keep up with quarterly whereabouts and they will be subject to unannounced sample collection at anytime, anyplace. There have been modifications to the prohibited substance list, such as the removal of marijuana.

While it may be hard to gauge until the fighters have experienced it, do we think the new program be better? Will the changes make a significant difference?

That’s what we asked our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Danny Segura, who tackled the topic with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.

Check out their conversation above, and don’t miss this week’s full episode below.

 

New UFC anti-doping policy details annouced, program to begin Dec. 31

The UFC is beginning a new athlete anti-doping policy in 2024, and has announced details about the program.

The UFC has announced details of its new anti-doping program that will officially begin Dec. 31.

After a partnership with U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that began in 2015 soured, the promotion decided to cut ties and begin a new UFC anti-doping policy (UFC ADP).

According to a statement released Thursday by the promotion, sample collection will be conducted by Drug Free Sport International, with administration and sanctioning to be overseen independently by Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD), headed by president George Piro.

“UFC’s goal for the Anti-Doping Policy is to be the best, most effective, and most progressive anti-doping program in all of professional sports,” UFC chief business offer Hunter Campbell said in the statement. “UFC is proud of the advancements we have made with our anti-doping program over the past eight years, and we will continue to maintain an independently administered drug-testing program that ensures all UFC athletes are competing under fair and equal circumstances. With this new iteration of the program, UFC has once again raised the bar for health and safety in combat sports.”

UFC senior vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky was also quoted:

“This latest UFC Anti-Doping Program is the result of our continued efforts to protect the athletes who compete in the Octagon. This new program is the result of years of input and trial and error taken by UFC, our athletes, and third parties who have assisted UFC in operating the program. The anti-doping policy is a living and breathing document that will continue to evolve and adapt when clear science supports changes that can further protect UFC athletes who compete in UFC.”

MMA Junkie obtained an email Campbell sent to the UFC roster, detailing expectations for whereabouts filing and testing, which can be read below along with more details released in the public statement about the new UFC ADP.

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Who is George Piro, the man in charge of the new UFC anti-doping program?

Find out more about George Piro, a former FBI agent who is the new independent administrator of the UFC’s anti-doping program.

The UFC has announced a new partnership to continue its anti-doping program after ending an eight-year association with U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), and the hiring of a new key figure.

Beginning in January 2024, Drug Free Sport International will run the Las Vegas-based MMA promotion’s anti-doping program, the promotion announced Thursday. Serving as the new independent administrator of the UFC’s anti-doping program will be former FBI agent [autotag]George Piro[/autotag].

Find out more details about Piro below.

UFC to continue anti-doping program, announces partnership with Drug Free Sport International

With USADA out, the UFC plans to continue their anti-doping program under Drug Free Sport International.

LAS VEGAS – The UFC partnership with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) may have come to an end, but their anti-doping program will continue under a partnership with a different entity.

UFC executive vice president and chief business officer [autotag]Hunter Campbell[/autotag] along with senior vice president of athlete health and performance [autotag]Jeff Novitsky[/autotag] announced Thursday that the Las Vegas-based MMA promotion will partner with Drug Free Sport International to run its athlete anti-doping program starting in 2024.

This news comes on the heels of a contentious statement by USADA on Wednesday announcing that the UFC did not renew its services for drug testing.

“Eight years ago when Jeff came over to work with Dana (White) and Lorenzo (Fertitta) and Laurence (Epstein) and the whole team here to build out this program, there wasn’t a mechanism to do this in any other way than using USADA,” Campbell told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a news conference. “Frankly, I would say, the first six years of the program, USADA was an incredible partner. I know that we built out the single greatest testing program in all of professional sports. I couldn’t be prouder of the program that was built. In the last several years, and I know a lot of you have followed it and seen it, there’s been a tremendous amount of technological change that has occurred and not only has there been a massive amount of change, there’s also been a change in the science that has gone into it as well as the players in the space.

“… We didn’t terminate the USADA partnership. We just informed them that we wouldn’t be renewing and that we would be building out a new program at the beginning of the year. So, the testing continues, everything is status quo through the end of the year until something happens otherwise, I don’t know. It’s going to be a complicated relationship for the next few months. Conor (McGregor) is 100 percent in the pool.”

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USADA CEO Travis Tygart said in his announcement that differences over whether UFC star [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] should be granted an exemption from the required six-month testing window caused friction between the UFC and USADA, thus causing their contract not to get renewed. Campbell categorically denied those accusations.

The UFC has been working with USADA since 2015 and will continue to run the anti-doping program until Dec. 31.

DFSI currently works with NCAA, MLB, NFL, NBA and other sports organizations. They have been involved in anti-doping programs for more than two decades. [autotag]George Piro[/autotag] will serve as the independent administrator of the UFC’s anti-doping program.

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