UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones has checked himself into a rehab facility after testing positive for cocaine.
Trace amounts of the drug were found in his system prior to last weekend when Jones defended his title against Daniel Cormier at UFC 182 in Las Vegas.
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The 27-year-old — who, in 2011, became the youngest champion in UFC history — tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, ESPN reported on Tuesday. Jones has since informed the Nevada State Athletic Commission that he has admitted himself into a drug treatment center to address the issue.
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At 6’4” and 205 lbs, Jones was being hailed as one of the greatest martial arts fighters of all time following the five-round decision on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden.
In acknowledgement of his problem, Jones released a statement to Yahoo! Sports through his attorney on Tuesday, which read:
“With the support of my family, I have entered into a drug treatment facility. I want to apologize to my fiancée, my children, as well as my mother, father, and brothers for the mistake that I made.
“I also want to apologize to the UFC, my coaches, my sponsors and equally important to my fans. I am taking this treatment program very seriously. Therefore, at this time my family and I would appreciate privacy.”
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According to Yahoo!, he was subjected to a random drug test on Dec. 4, however the Nevada commission follows the World Anti-Doping Agency code and benzoylecgonine is not banned out-of-competition. Therefore, the commission was unable to penalize Jones or prevent him from fighting despite the positive test. The fighter also passed a follow-up test.
“Jones has checked himself into a rehab center,” NSAC executive director Bob Bennett told ESPN. “And at this time, I would direct any further questions regarding his situation to Mr. Jones or the UFC.”
A representative for Jones did not immediately respond to TheWrap‘s request for comment.
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