NAC schedules Jon Jones doping and Conor McGregor-Nate Diaz skirmish hearings
Mark Oct. 10 on your calendar if you're an MMA fan.
The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) will hold a disciplinary hearing for Jon Jones in his doping case and listen to the complaint against Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz for their press conference skirmish at its Oct. 10 meeting, NAC executive director Bob Bennett confirmed Thursday with MMA Fighting. ESPN's Brett Okamoto was the first to report the news.
Jones failed an out-of-competition drug test administered by USADA prior to UFC 200 and was pulled out of the main event fight of the card against Daniel Cormier just three days before it was scheduled in Las Vegas. Jones tested positive for two banned substance: clomiphene and letrozol.
Jones, the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, is facing a suspension and fine from the NAC. His case with USADA is still ongoing. Both bodies could produce different sanctions against Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight champion and current interim title holder.
McGregor and Diaz were involved in an ugly press conference mess three days before their main event fight at UFC 202 on Aug. 20 in Las Vegas. McGregor, Diaz and their respective teams threw water bottles and other foreign objects at each other during the skirmish. McGregor launched energy drink cans toward Diaz's team in the tightly constructed Copperfield Theater inside the MGM Grand.
McGregor and Diaz are likely facing hefty fines and possibly community service. Jones and Daniel Cormier were fined and given community service hours by the NAC for their press conference brawl two years ago.
Bennett said the three men do not have to be present at the hearings; their attorneys can be there instead. The commission could ask for them to call in via phone.
The hearings for Jones, McGregor and Diaz are currently on the NAC agenda, but Bennett said if any of their lawyers ask for a case to be pushed back, things could change.
The disciplinary hearing for Brock Lesnar, who failed in- and out-of-competition drug tests in relation to UFC 200, has not yet been scheduled. It will not be Oct. 10, Bennett said.