Jon Jones has reached an agreement with the U.S. Anti-Doping Association (USADA), being given a 15-month suspension that is retroactive to July 28, 2017.

As first reported by MMA Fighting's Marc Raimondi, this makes the former UFC light heavyweight champion eligible to compete in MMA on October 28 — mere days before UFC 230 at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 3. It's not confirmed that Jones — a New Yorker — will headline the card, but there is heavy speculation around the MMA community based on the timing of the suspension's end, as well as no main event being announced for the pay-per-view card yet.

Jones had been indefinitely and provisionally suspended based on a failed drug test one day prior to UFC 214 in July 2017, testing positive for metabolites of an anabolic steroid.

Jones had defeated Daniel Cormier to win back the UFC Light Heavyweight Title in a long-awaited rematch at the event, but the win and title change were overturned because of the failed test.

Jones' history and USADA agreement

As reported by ESPN, an independent arbitrator — anti-doping expert Richard McLaren — ultimately ruled that while Jones didn't knowingly take any banned substances, he should have acted more carefully with the supplements he was taking. Jones sent 14 supplements to be examined, but none of those substances came back contaminated.

Yet, he also completed eight out-of-competition drug tests in the 10 months prior to the July 2017 fight with Cormier, and Jones was expected to pass the test that he ultimately failed.

Jones maintained his innocence but admitted to taking cocaine in the time span before and after the failed test.

Jones faced a suspension of up to four years due to this being his second failed drug test.

He failed another test days prior to UFC 200 — where he and Cormier were originally set to have their rematch — in July 2016.

However, because of the circumstances, USADA said Jones' suspension should be two-and-a-half years less than what he would normally get. McLaren ultimately gave Jones the 15-month ban due to his degree of fault.

USADA does not have to find the source of a banned substance to reduce a suspension, though this is rare.

Jones faced the California State Athletic Commission earlier this year, and he was revoked of his fighting license. He must serve three months' community service and pay a $205,000 to earn his license back. However, executive director Andy Foster called the arbitrator's decision "agreeable."

MMA world reactions

UFC President Dana White is ultimately pleased that Jones will be eligible to return soon, and "the science" is enough proof to convince him of Jones' innocence.

White, however, tells ESPN that Jones will not headline UFC 230 and that his return to the UFC Octagon will likely come in early 2019.

As for Cormier, he delivered harsh words to the anti-doping organization on the MMA promotion's UFC Tonight program. Cormier additionally gave no thought to a trilogy bout with Jones, and he is instead focused on a future heavyweight title defense against Brock Lesnar.
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