Why Was Jon Jones Stripped of His UFC Titles in 2015 and 2016? Suspensions, Picogram Tests, PED Controversy & More

UFC Heavyweight champion Jon Jones’s legacy in the Octagon speaks for itself. Over his decade-plus career, he has consistently reigned at the pinnacle of the sport, making the light heavyweight division nearly synonymous with his name. At just 23 years old, ‘Bones’ claimed the 205lbs title, but with this early success came a series of challenges.

As Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates once said, “Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” These words resonate with Jones’s story, illustrating how even the greatest champions can stumble when seduced by early victories. Though Jon Jones’s MMA record is close to flawless, it is marred by numerous controversies—some professional, others legal, and many deeply personal. His most significant setbacks stem from these issues, costing him his title multiple times. So, let’s take a closer look at his journey to understand how many titles he’s lost—and the reasons why.

Jon Jones becomes the first UFC Champ to be stripped of his title twice!

Everything was going right for then-UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones until 2015, when, on an unlucky night, Jones was involved in a hit-and-run car accident. Jones crashed his car into a vehicle driven by a pregnant woman and fled the scene, drawing significant attention from the mainstream media. This incident led to a swift response from the UFC, which subsequently suspended ‘Bones’ for violating the UFC Athlete Code of Conduct.

Sponsors like Reebok distanced themselves, and UFC President Dana White, commenting on one of his promotion’s biggest stars, said, “He’s disappointed, but it is what it is. It is the decision we had to make. For us to go in and have to strip him of his title and suspend him is not fun.” This was the first time Jon Jones ‘lost’ his title—but it wouldn’t be the last.

A year later, in 2016, Jon Jones again faced controversy, this time for testing positive for banned substances, clomiphene and letrozole. The news, revealed by the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency), led to multiple suspensions from the UFC’s official drug testing agency and the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), followed by the stripping of his interim title that he won at UFC 197 by beating Ovince Saint Preux. Shortly after, Jones regained the title against Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, reclaiming his lost glory.

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However, his happiness was short-lived. Jones tested positive again, this time for Turinabol, an anabolic st**oid, resulting in another suspension, the fight being overturned, and ‘Bones’ being stripped of his title for a third time. However, Jon Jones’s controversies did not stop here—he’s still building a reputation for more to follow. Scroll down for more.

What is the Jon Jones’s picogram controversy? What suspension did he face?

Several of the controversies surrounding Jon Jones were influenced by factors beyond his control, with some even tied to a stroke of luck. A prime example is the rule change on November 1 that legalized the 12-6 elbow, a technique that had previously resulted in one of Jones’s few career blemishes—his disqualification loss. Similarly, in 2020, UFC Senior VP of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitsky approved the use of substances in amounts below 100 picograms, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding his past.

Despite all the controversy, Jon Jones remains largely silent and focused on moving past the judgment of critics and detractors. This was evident in 2020 when a fan criticized him for his past use of banned substances. Jones responded with a sharp retort, saying, “Yep, worked my a** off to prove my innocence. Now picograms are legal in our sport. Honestly, none of that will matter a few years from now when I’m covering my kids’ tuition. You guys are still laughing about what happened at the office, while I’m outside on a golf cart.”

Since then, the controversy seemed to die down, and Jones’s life returned to a sense of normalcy. However, earlier this year, the saga resurfaced when UFC’s new dr*g testing agency appeared at his front door.

Other controversial incidents and PED testing problems in Jones’s career

Earlier this year, Jon Jones underwent significant personal and professional transformations, vowing to turn over a new leaf. He reconciled with his estranged partner, Jessie Moses, following an alleged domestic violence incident in which Jones was reportedly intoxicated. Although Moses initially left him, the two high school sweethearts eventually found their way back to each other. Their reunion came amid Jon’s efforts to make personal changes, as he promised to become a better man both for himself and his family.

Amid these personal changes, news surfaced that Jones allegedly attacked a DFSI (Drug Free Sport International) tester, even threatening to kill the female tester while under the influence. However, rumors of Jones’s arrest began circulating, prompting him to release CCTV footage showing the testers calmly leaving his home after the session.

To clear his name, Jon Jones posted the footage on Instagram with the caption, “I want to clarify that there is a video showing both dr*g testers leaving my home after the testing session, where we exchanged a high five and a hug. Although I was frustrated with the unprofessionalism and used profanity out of frustration, it ended friendly and amicably, nothing threatening at all.”

Controversy and Jon Jones have often gone hand in hand in the world of MMA, yet he continues to push past every obstacle life places in his path. This weekend, at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden, ‘Bones’ will square off against longtime heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, in what is speculated to be his final fight. The stakes are high for this historic bout, which has captured the attention of the entire MMA community. The lingering question is: will Jon Jones walk away from the sport without a blemish on his legacy? Stay tuned for updates.