Two UFC competitors, Robert Drysdale and Kevin Casey have been temporarily suspended pending a full hearing after failing drugs tests during their bouts at International Fight Week earlier this month.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ace Drysdale had already tested three times over the legal testosterone limit last year which had prevented him from making his UFC debut at UFC 167 last year.
At the time he dismissed that as, “a bureaucratic issue,” but he’ll have a hard time shrugging it off a second time as he has again tested positive for elevated testosterone levels – this time two times over the limit – following his first round submission win over Keith Berish at the TUF 19 Finale on July 6th.
A day earlier at UFC 175, Casey also earned his first victory inside the Octagon, knocking out Bubba Bush in just 61 seconds, but the shine has also been taken off his performance now that it’s emerged that he tested positive for drostanolone, an illegal steroid.
Both Drysdale and Casey are only on temporary suspensions for the time being, but will each have to go before a NSAC hearing where they are expected to face lengthy suspensions, a fine and their victories being overturned to a ‘no contest’ ruling.
The UFC has since released their own statement on the matter which you can read below.
“The UFC has been notified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that UFC middleweight Kevin Casey and light heavyweight Robert Drysdale failed drug tests following their fights at UFC 175 and The Ultimate Fighter Finale, respectively,” the UFC expressed in an official statement. “Casey tested positive for drostanolone and Drysdale was flagged for an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio. Both fighters have been temporarily suspended from competition and informed their positive tests violated the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC.
“The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance-enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by our athletes and will support the NSAC’s determination pending a formal hearing at a later date.”
It’ll be interesting to see if the UFC will keep the fighters on after this, particularly Drysdale since he’s someone that people were excited to see compete in the Octagon due to his decorated BJJ background and an impressive start to his MMA career with seven submission wins all inside the first round to his name so far.
However, already having two failed drugs tests to his name after only one fight in the UFC is unheard of and suggests that the 33 year-old is something of a loose cannon and may be more trouble than he’s worth.
