Jon Jones Stripped of UFC Light Heavyweight Title After USADA Suspension

The UFC has stripped former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones of his title following his yearlong suspension by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), according to Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com. 

"It doesn't make sense," UFC President Dana White told ESPN's 5ive Rounds podcast, per Okamoto. "He was the interim champion because he should have been fighting for the title [in April]. We gave him this, 'You were supposed to fight for the title. Here it is.' It doesn't make sense with all the stuff that is going on for him to still be the interim champion."

It's the second time Jones, 29, has been stripped of the title. In 2015, the UFC took it from him after his arrest on a hit-and-run charge.

Jones returned to the Octagon in April, defeating Ovince Saint Preux. He was initially supposed to fight Daniel Cormier with the light heavyweight title up for grabs, but Cormier had to withdraw due to an injury. Instead, Jones fought Saint Preux for the interim belt.

Jones was then scheduled to face Cormier in July, but the fight was canceled after Jones tested positive for two banned substances three days before the fight. That led to the USADA handing down a yearlong suspension, backdated to July.

The USADA determined the pill Jones took "is not a prohibited substance but a legitimate erectile dysfunction medication" and that its purpose is "to enhance sexual not sporting performance," per the BBC.

However, the findings also indicated that Jones "has not been candid on his doping control form and gave different excuses for that lack of candor," according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.

According to White, Jones lost a lot more than the title, as he said on the Dan Le Batard Show on Tuesday (via Damon Martin of Fox Sports):

"

He's lost a lot of money, he left a lot of money on the table. I'll tell you this too — in the history of combat sports, nobody's ever taken this much time off and come back and looked like the did when they were younger, even (Muhammad) Ali. So it's going to be interesting.

Who knows (how much money he lost). If he moved up to heavyweight and fought for the heavyweight championship, it could have been massive. It could be anywhere from $15 to $20 million.

"

It's another disappointing development for Jones, arguably the most talented MMA fighter in the sport's history. He's an impressive 22-1 in his professional fighting career, though issues outside the Octagon have become his primary storyline in recent years.

"Jon Jones has blown it in every way shape and form a guy with that much talent can blow it," White said on the 5ive Rounds podcast, per Okamoto. "Greatest talent ever and the biggest screw-up ever."

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