UFC fighter Jake Shields has been issued a six month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance prior to his fight at UFC 150.
In addition to spending half a year on the sidelines, Shields was also ordered to pay a fine of $5,675 and his victory over Ed Herman at the event has been overturned to a no-contest.
“Prior to my professional bout at UFC 150 in Denver, Colorado, I used a substance prohibited by Colorado Boxing Commission rules,” Shields said in a statement. “This was a mistake that I fully regret. I have shared this issue with my family and the UFC and I have apologized to them and now I also apologize to you, the fans. I promise this will never occur again in my fighting career.”
Zuffa have also commented on the fighter’s suspension.
“We’ve been informed by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Boxing Commission that Mr. Shields tested positive for a banned substance following his bout at UFC 150. UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any performance-enhancing drugs, including the requirement that all incoming athletes be tested and cleared for PEDs. Therefore, we fully support the drug testing efforts of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Boxing Commission and will fully cooperate with the Commission regarding this matter.”
Curiously, neither Shields or his bosses have mentioned exactly what substance it was that he was found to be using, but it’s hard to see it remaining a secret for long.
Whatever the reason it’s certainly a new low point in what’s been an underwhelming spell since joining the UFC from Strikeforce. Shields has failed to live up to the impressive form he showed outside of the Octagon, going 2-2 (1nc) so far in the UFC compared with a 14 fight winning streak prior to that.
