Yahoo Sports Jon Jones apologizes to fans after UFC 232 moved to LA
Jon Jones is spending the days leading up to his first fight in a year and a half apologizing.
The UFC decided to move Saturday’s UFC 232 event, which features a light heavyweight bout between Jones and Alexander Gustafsson, from Las Vegas to Southern California.
UFC 232 moves to Southern California
Jones (2-1) was granted an MMA license earlier this month after a 15-month suspension. The fighter tested positive for Turinabol, an anabolic steroid, after his July 2017 fight.
The USADA ruled Jones’ positive tests in 2016 and 2017 were not from intentional use.
An “atypical finding” in a recent pre-fight drug test turned up a small amount of Turinabol that independent experts determined was from a prior situation, and not a re-ingestion. Since the California State Athletic Commission is familiar with Jones’ situation, and nearly all of the Nevada commissioners are out of town for the holidays, the fight was moved from Las Vegas to the Forum Inglewood, California.
Jones apologies to fighters, fans
Jones spent Wednesday apologizing to fellow fighters on the card and fans. That night he held a short meet and greet at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas that he advertised on his Instagram page.
He told MMA Junkie he felt good because he had to but felt bad for the fans.
“So far, they’ve all (the fighters) said they’ve forgiven me, and I think I need to prioritize my emotions and save all the emotions for after the fight,” Jones said, per MMA Junkie. “After the fight, I definitely plan on doing what I can do to give back to fans who really lost out.”
More from Yahoo Sports:
• School district boycotting ref who made wrestler cut dreadlocks
• Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict suffers 7th career concussion, 2nd this month
• Martin: Do the Giants have an Eli Manning exit plan?
• Baker Mayfield defends Hue Jackson staredown
