At UFC 232, Jon Jones made his return to MMA after a 15-month suspension for failing a drug test. He reclaimed the light heavyweight title with a win over Alexander Gustafsson and later, celebrated when his drug tests came back clean. Well, his USADA ones, at least.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that Jones’ VADA tests - that he signed up to take so he could be licensed to fight in California - revealed trace amounts of the same steroid metabolite Jones’ failed for last year. The turinabol metabolite was the one that caused so many problems ahead of UFC 232 as it showed up in multiple tests beforehand and caused Nevada to refuse to license him, forcing the entire show to move to California on a week’s notice, who did license Jones with the understanding that it is unclear if the metabolite will ever leave Jones’ system and that he should be licensed to compete again. That means this abnormal test, while unfortunate, was also not unexpected and which is fine by Jones’ next opponent, Anthony Smith, as yesterday ‘Lionheart’ responded to the news on Twitter.

“If you’re hitting me up about this, don’t. I truly don’t care,” Smith said. “Picograms, no picograms, Olympic sized swimming pools, grains of salt ‍... I couldn’t care any less. I signed on the line and did it knowing what I was signing up for and with no expectations. I’m good, y’all. ”

Jones is set to defend his light heavyweight title against Smith at UFC 235 on March 2, assuming Jones can get licensed. UFC 235 is set to take place in Las Vegas, so despite the fact that this test was not unexpected, the NAC still has to clear him to compete and they have previously shown a reticence to do so with evidence of banned substances still in Jones system. Jones is scheduled to go before the commission in a hearing next Tuesday to get his license approved and we’ll have to see how that plays out. If the NAC still won’t license him though, the UFC can always more the card again. At least we know Anthony Smith won’t have a problem with it.

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MUST-READ STORIES

Jones. Trace amount of same steroid metabolite found in Jon Jones’ UFC 232 VADA test results.

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Suspension. Walt Harris temporarily suspended by CSAC for positive UFC 232 drug test.

Last Emperor. Fedor Emelianenko admits ‘more and more I am thinking of retiring’.

170. Rory MacDonald vs. Jon Fitch title fight, Bellator grand prix first round slated for April.

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VIDEO STEW

The A-Side Live Chat.

Conor’s history with the tabloids.

Kevin Hart taking an ice bath with Ronda Rousey and asking questions.

Wouldn’t doubt it for a second.

Cejudo going hard on this Nikki Bella angle.

Thrill and the Agony. One of the best things the UFC does.

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LISTEN UP

Fights Gone By. Discussing the new UFC belt, Cejudo’s win, and Bellator.

Heavy Hands. Discussing the highlights from UFC’s debut on ESPN.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Fight.

Hero.

Philosopher king.

Kind of weird since the belts looks the same at a glance.

Desperately needed.

Shade.

This thing feels like it has taken forever.

Derek Carr seems mad.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Victoria Leonardo (3-1) vs. Jamie Milanowski (2-2); Invicta FC 34, Feb. 15.

Christina Ricker (1-1) vs. Caitlin Sammons (0-0); Invicta FC 34, Feb. 15.

Milana Dudieva (12-7) vs. Karina Rodriguez (6-3); Invicta FC 34, Feb. 15.

Paul Craig (10-3) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (6-0); UFC Philadelphia, March 30.

Sabina Mazo (6-0) vs. Maryna Moroz (8-3); UFC Philadelphia, March 30.

Rory MacDonald (20-5) vs. Jon Fitch (31-7-1); Bellator, April 27.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

At this point, Jon has to have failed more tests than anyone else in UFC history, right? Just another reason he’s the GOAT.

Thanks for reading, and see y’all tomorrow.

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EXIT POLL

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