Controversy continues to haunt UFC 232, as the organisation and Jon Jones scramble to swat away questions about small traces of banned substances that were found in the 31-year-old's blood.
The UFC moved the event from Las Vegas to Los Angeles because of the abnormal result. Jones had tested positive in the past and the event got the go-ahead after the UFC, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, and the California State Athletic Commission determined that the abnormal drug test result was a residual effect which stemmed from the past anti-doping violation in July of last year.
Jones believes that he will be vindicated by USADA in the long-term. Alexander Gustafsson, who has lost to Jones previously, believes that his opponent this weekend is a cheater.
"Whatever this guy is saying, it's just bullshit, it's just terrible. Whatever this guy is saying, you can't take it serious at all.
"This guy is not confident, he has to put shit in his body to be confident, that's how it is."
Both Dana White and Jones have been reluctant to discuss the situation, but two faces familiar to the UFC have recently made their feelings clear on the matter with Eddie Alvarez and Nathan Diaz both publicly critical.
We are not hitting balls or pucks . We are trying to damage a mans head , A human head . Zero is the amount of drugs that should be allowed #JustSayNO
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) December 28, 2018
Usada can’t come over anymore..
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) December 28, 2018
Where da 💉💉 plug ?
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) December 28, 2018
Prior to UFC 202, Diaz was asked about another Jones test for PEDS and famously responded: “everybody's on steroids."
It comes after a tense exchange between Jones and a journalist made headlines yesterday. For Dana White, it is becoming increasingly clear that the case does not sit well with several sections of the community.
