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LAS VEGAS – Anthony Smith has not allowed Jon Jones ongoing drug testing saga to distract him since their UFC 235 title fight was announced. That hasn’t changed even with some adverse findings two days out from the card.

On Thursday, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), which is the sanctioning body for Saturday’s UFC 235 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, released the latest batch of Jones’ (23-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) test results. Picograms of the long-term M3 metabolite that has plagued “Bones” were again present on multiple tests.

The adverse findings did not indicate reuse from Jones, though, meaning he won’t receive any punishment, nor is the matchup with Smith (31-13 MMA, 7-3 UFC) in any danger of being called off.

Smith has taken a hard-lined stance over the situation for weeks – and has even gone as far as to defend Jones – even though he knows the champion is far from perfect.

“It’s expected,” Smith told reporters, including MMAjunkie, at UFC 235 open workouts. “I didn’t have any doubt in my mind. For whatever reason he tends to pulse when he gets close to a fight. I expected it. I would’ve been more shocked if it wasn’t there. It is what it is. I’ve talked to (NSAC executive director) Bob Bennett. We’re good.

“Bob Bennett’s been doing this a long time and I just don’t think he would put me in a position where someone else starts with a head start. That’s not me giving Jon a pass, though. Obviously there’s been some sort of indiscretion there. At some point in time he’s used PEDs and I don’t think we can argue that. But as far as now: I think Jon is a clean athlete.”

If Smith chose too, he could easily attempt to make a fuss about Jones’ tests. He said he doesn’t understand the science better than anyone else, though, and if the regulatory bodies are giving Jones clearance to compete, he said that’s all he needs to have peace of mind.

Jones’ previous opponents haven’t taken that same approach, and Smith believes that’s just one of the reasons he has the upper hand over those who have stepped in the octagon with Jones, and why he’ll win.

“I think (Daniel) Cormier and Gustafsson spent a lot of time talking about the negative things that Jon Jones does and who he is a person and all the stuff he has going on,” Smith said. “Listen, Jon Jones does a lot of things right. He does a lot of good things, and that’s what I’m focused on. And all the good things he does in the octagon. That’s all I care about. All the other stuff is a distraction and Cormier and Gustafsson let that distract them and they let Jon win. I’m not going to let Jon emotionally or mentally beat me. It’s not going to happen.”

For more on UFC 235, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.