Alexander Gustafsson disappointed with Jon Jones’ positive test: We’re supposed to be role models

As one half of the ‘Fight of the Year' in 2013, Alexander Gustafsson is disappointed with how far Jones has fallen since their title…

By: Karim Zidan | 8 years ago
Alexander Gustafsson disappointed with Jon Jones’ positive test: We’re supposed to be role models
Bloody Elbow 2.0 | Anton Tabuena

As one half of the ‘Fight of the Year’ in 2013, Alexander Gustafsson is disappointed with how far Jones has fallen since their title fight over a year ago. While the champion remains dominant inside the octagon, his positive drug test for cocaine metabolites forces Gustafsson to contemplate about how this could negatively impacts the sport as a whole.

“It is bad for the sport, bad for the organization,” Gustafsson told MMAFighting.com. “We’re supposed to be role models. You’re supposed to stay above that sort of thing.”

Jones tested positive for cocaine metabolites on Dec. 4 on a test that was, according to the Nevada Athletic Commission, supposed to be administered only for performance-enhancing drugs. The commission would not take any disciplinary actions against Jones.

While clearly bothered by the incident, Gustafsson decided against adding to his comments, instead focusing on his upcoming opponent, Anthony Johnson. The two competitors are scheduled to meet in the main event of UFC on FOX 14 in Stockholm, Sweden.

“Every single reporter asks me about Jones,” Gustafsson said. “All of them. I can’t bother to think about Jon Jones right now, I have a very dangerous opponent in front of me.”

Transcription taken from MMAFighting.com.

Share this story

About the author
Karim Zidan
Karim Zidan

Karim Zidan is a investigative reporter and feature writer focusing on the intersection of sports and politics. He has written for BloodyElbow since 2014 and has served as an associate editor since 2016. He also writes for The New York Times and The Guardian. Karim has been invited to speak about his work at numerous universities, including Princeton, and was a panelist at the South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival and the Oslo Freedom Forum. He also participated in the United Nations counter-terrorism conference in 2021. His reporting on Ramzan Kadyrov’s involvement in MMA, much of which was done for Bloody Elbow, has led to numerous award nominations, and was the basis of an award-winning HBO Real Sports documentary.

More from the author

Related Stories