Statement from Daniel Cormier

“It’s hard to find words to describe how I’m feeling right now. I’m disappointed to hear the news. It’s very emotional. We as athletes are entitled to due process, and I will refrain from saying much more until I know exactly what happened. In my mind, on July 29, I competed and lost. I thought Jon Jones was the better man that day. I don’t know what to think anymore. I can’t believe we are going through all of this again. We will see what happens next.”

I competed and lost. I thought Jon Jones was the better man that day. I don’t know what to think anymore. I can’t believe we are going through all of this again. We will see what happens next.”

Jones was stripped of the belt in 2015 after he was involved in a hitand-run accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His return to the top of the division was delayed when he was flagged by USADA days before he was to fight Cormier in the main event of UFC 200 in July 2016 in Las Vegas.

He was suspended a year for that infraction, but maintained a tainted sexual enhancement pill was responsible for the failed test.

“Jon definitely has one penalty under the system,” UFC vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky said. “The second penalty, if it were to come to that, essentially

doubles the penalty absent extenuating circumstances.”

Jones could face a potential suspension of up to four years depending on the substance for which he tested positive.

“The list goes on and on of what could have been with Jon Jones,” said White, who has called Jones the best fighter in UFC history. “It will be a great ‘30 for 30’ someday.

“If this ends up (with him being guilty), it might be the end of his career. So talk about his legacy? This might be the end of his career.”

Novitzky said it is too early in the process to make a guess as to how long it could take for the matter to play out before a conclusion.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@ reviewjournal.com or 702-277-8028. Follow @adamhilllvrj on Twitter.