Jon Jones Posts Lengthy Reflection on 1-Year Anniversary of UFC 214 Bout vs. Daniel Cormier

One year ago, it looked like Jon Jones was back.

The Jackson-Wink MMA product reclaimed his light heavyweight throne with authority at UFC 214, as he rocked Daniel Cormier with a head kick before finishing his rival with ground-and-pound 3:01 into the third round of the evening’s main event in Anaheim, Calif.

After a couple lengthy stints on the sideline due to numerous issues, it appeared that Jones had scored something of a redemptive victory. Only, it wasn’t. Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that Jones tested positive for the anabolic steroid Turinabol at the event. As a result, he was suspended and stripped of the belt he had only just regained. The victory, of course, was changed to a no contest by the California State Athletic Commission.

Jones remains in limbo as he awaits a USADA ruling an his doping case. After having previously failed a drug test in relation to UFC 200, he could face up to a four-year sanction if USADA isn’t lenient. Even if he gets a favorable punishment, there’s no denying that Jones has missed out on several prime years of his MMA career.

The ex-champ reflected on last year’s events in a lengthy post on his Instagram account, vowing to be a “more complete version than the world has ever seen” when he does return.

Time has a way of putting things into perspective. One year ago today I knocked out Daniel Cormier to reclaim my light heavyweight title. It was the culmination of all the sacrifice and hard work put in on the road back to where I truly know I belong. That’s at the top...the only place I’ve ever dreamed of being. Turns out it wasn’t a forever moment but a fleeting one as two weeks later I find out on TMZ of all places my title has been stripped and I’m suspended once again. To go from the spotlight to darkness, and have everything taken away from me again was a hardship the public will never truly understand. It bent me but did not break me and I had to learn to fight in a different way. I’ve spent the last year living right and getting healthy, but much of that work was spent correcting and repairing my mental space. Call it weakness if you will but even the toughest individuals need assistance getting back on track. I’ll be back, and when I am it will be a more complete version than the world has ever seen. You have to turn the lemons life gives you into lemonade, and you have to take time to sit back and enjoy it. The struggles don’t define you. It’s how you handle them that determines who you are. Be good, enjoy the day and God bless.

Time has a way of putting things into perspective. One year ago today I knocked out Daniel Cormier to reclaim my light heavyweight title. It was the culmination of all the sacrifice and hard work put in on the road back to where I truly know I belong. That’s at the top...the only place I’ve ever dreamed of being. Turns out it wasn’t a forever moment but a fleeting one as two weeks later I find out on TMZ of all places my title has been stripped and I’m suspended once again. To go from the spotlight to darkness, and have everything taken away from me again was a hardship the public will never truly understand. It bent me but did not break me and I had to learn to fight in a different way. I’ve spent the last year living right and getting healthy, but much of that work was spent correcting and repairing my mental space. Call it weakness if you will but even the toughest individuals need assistance getting back on track. I’ll be back, and when I am it will be a more complete version than the world has ever seen. You have to turn the lemons life gives you into lemonade, and you have to take time to sit back and enjoy it. The struggles don’t define you. It’s how you handle them that determines who you are. Be good, enjoy the day and God bless.

A post shared by Jon Bones Jones (@jonnybones) on Jul 29, 2018 at 11:48am PDT