Ultimate Fighting Championship announced over the weekend that Jon "Bones" Jones, reigning light heavyweight champion, has been fined a penalty of $25,000 after Jones was found to be in violation of the Athlete Code of Conduct Policy of the UFC.
The UFC, however, decided not to suspend their top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter.
Jones, 27 years old, was found to have tested positive for traces of cocaine when he underwent a random urine drug test that was carried out back in Dec. 4 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
The random drug test was administered a month before the eighth title defense of Jones, wherein he went up against Daniel Cormier in a match held in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas last Jan. 3. Jones successfully defended his title, winning through a unanimous decision and improving his record to 21 wins and 1 loss.
The results of the failed drug test were not released to the public until the fight was finished. Officials of the UFC confirmed that they have known of Jones' failure of the drug test last Dec. 23, but did not push for the cancellation of the championship match between Jones and Cormier.
On Jan. 6, Jones said that he had entered into a drug rehabilitation facility.
UFC officials, through the statement that was released on Jan. 17 announcing the $25,000 fine, said that the amount will be sent as a donation to a program focusing on the prevention of substance abuse.
The statement also explained that the UFC decided to delay the disciplinary action on Jones as it waited for the results of the urine test and blood test that were taken of Jones during the night of his fight with Cormier. The UFC revealed that the results for both tests returned clear, though the NSAC has not yet confirmed that.
The win of Jones on Jan. 3 to retain his championship will not change, as the drug test carried out on Dec. 4 is considered by the NSAC to be an "out-of-competition" period. Cocaine and other abused drugs are only banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency during "in-competition" times.
The NSAC is currently using the WADA banned substance regulations, though discussions for the body to make changes to its policies are underway after the situation with Jones.
The reported purse of Jones to the NSAC was at $500,000. However, the NSAC previously fined Jones for $50,000 after a brawl escalated with Cormier during a news conference prior to their fight back in Aug. 4.
