Derek from MPMD Explains Jon Jones PED "Pulsing"

Episode Summary

Main Topics

This episode delves into the controversial drug testing history of UFC fighter Jon Jones, specifically addressing the "pulsing" phenomenon of the Turinabol M3 metabolite. Derek from MPMD dissects Jones's past positive tests, including Clomiphene and Letrozole, and scrutinizes the inconsistencies surrounding the pulsing explanation, particularly contrasting it with Jones's own Clomid positive. The discussion also covers Jones's remarkably low testosterone levels during competition and explores the broader implications of designer steroids and undetectable performance-enhancing drugs in sports, offering a critical perspective on Jones's defense.

Key Discussion Points

• Jon Jones's PED History and Initial Positives: The episode recounts Jon Jones's history of drug test failures, beginning with positive tests for Clomiphene and Letrozole in 2016. Derek highlights that these substances—an aromatase inhibitor used to prevent gynecomastia and a fertility drug used for testosterone recovery—strongly suggest intentional steroid use, despite Jones's claims of tainted supplements. This initial history sets the stage for later controversies surrounding Turinabol.
• The Turinabol "Pulsing" Phenomenon: The core of the discussion revolves around the concept of "pulsing," where metabolites like Turinabol's M3 can store in fat tissue and sporadically re-enter the system, leading to repeated low-level positives. The Rod Chankov assay, which extended Turinabol's detection window and led to numerous retroactive Olympic disqualifications, is credited with identifying these longer-term metabolites. However, Derek points out a significant inconsistency: while Clomid is often cited as a reference drug for pulsing, Jones never showed pulsing for Clomid despite testing positive for it.
• Remarkably Low Testosterone Levels and Performance: Derek emphasizes Jon Jones's "unexplainably" low testosterone levels during competition, specifically noting that his urinary testosterone was in "single digits" when he fought Daniel Cormier, which Derek likened to "female" or "castration" levels, typically over ten times lower than normal. While low endogenous testosterone might seem counterintuitive for performance, Derek explains that the athlete would be relying on the exogenous, possibly undetectable, performance-enhancing drug to drive their capabilities.
• The Specter of Designer Steroids and Undetectable Compounds: The conversation explores the possibility of athletes using novel, undetectable performance-enhancing drugs, drawing parallels to "the clear" used by BALCO athletes like Barry Bonds. Derek asserts that if an assay hasn't been developed for a specific designer drug, it remains undetectable, regardless of other suspicious markers like severely suppressed testosterone levels. He suggests that while designer steroids derived from testosterone might eventually be identified, novel agents in growth hormone or EPO families could still evade detection.
• Overall Improbability of Jones's Defense: Derek concludes that, considering Jones's consistent pattern of drug test failures, the presence of drugs like Clomiphene and Letrozole, the "highly improbable" Clomid/Turinabol pulsing discrepancy, and his severely suppressed testosterone levels, it is extremely unlikely that Jones was not attempting to manipulate the anti-doping system. He suggests possibilities like tainted undetectable drugs or attempts to beat detection windows before new assays were developed.

Notable Moments

• Interesting Story/Anecdote: Derek reveals that Jon Jones personally blocked him on social media because of the videos Derek has made dissecting Jones's drug testing cases, suggesting Jones is uncomfortable with discussions "bringing up shit that is in his past that he doesn't want dug up."
• Surprising Fact/Revelation: A key contradiction highlighted is that Jon Jones tested positive for Clomid, a drug often used as a reference point for metabolites "pulsing" from fat tissue, yet his Clomid positive never exhibited this pulsing behavior, unlike his Turinabol M3 metabolite.
• Memorable Exchange: The host's shocked reaction to Jones's testosterone levels, asking "castration, is that bad?" and Derek confirming, "Yeah, it was pretty f**king bad, dude," vividly underscores the severity of Jones's endocrine suppression.

Key Takeaways

Listeners will gain a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding Jon Jones's drug testing controversies, recognizing that his history includes multiple positives for substances indicative of steroid use, like Clomiphene and Letrozole. The episode critically debunks aspects of the "pulsing" defense for Turinabol by highlighting the inconsistency with Jones's own Clomid positive. It reveals the stark reality of Jones's "unexplainably" low testosterone levels, strongly implicating exogenous drug use, and sheds light on the ongoing challenge of designer steroids that can evade detection. Ultimately, the discussion presents a compelling argument that Jon Jones has actively attempted to circumvent anti-doping protocols throughout his career.