UFC heavyweight Vinicius Quieroz tested positive for an illegal substance and was released by the UFC. Quieroz lost to Rob Broughton in a UFC 120 preliminary match.
Via MMA Junkie:
According to the UFC’s U.K. president, Marshall Zelaznik, Quieroz forfeited an undisclosed discretionary bonus from the UFC and has also been released from the promotion. The UFC will also relay the findings to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which could affect Quieroz’s ability to gain a license to fight in the U.S.
Ratner said that the UFC is concerned with the use of performance-enhancing drugs in MMA and will continue to police its fighters at events that lack an overseeing commission.
Payout Perspective:
This is an interesting move by the UFC since it usually defers to athletic commissions when having to deal with drug tests.
Here, we can look at the Quieroz dismissal as a caution to others. He is being made as an example that if you cheat, you will be cut. Since it was his first UFC match, Quieroz was a prelim fighter and he lost his match, he will not be missed.
But, if this fighter were on the main PPV, or even in the main event (e.g., Chael Sonnen), the punishment would be different. Certainly, the UFC would really be in a huge predicament if a main eventer tested positive in a state with no regulatory body. If this were the case, the UFC would serve as the de facto commission if we are to use this example as precedent.
An interesting twist here is that Quieroz was dismissed, required to give back a portion of his earnings and then the UFC sent the findings to the Nevada State Athletic Commission which could affect his chance to obtain a license. I do not know if the UFC was required to report its findings, but if not, this action seems punitive.
“Certainly, the UFC would really be in a huge predicament if a main eventer tested positive in a state with no regulatory body. If this were the case, the UFC would serve as the de facto commission if we are to use this example as precedent.”
See: Chris Leben after UFC 89 in London. Already a precedent.
They didn’t release him, but the UFC was the entity that disciplined him.
http://mmajunkie.com/news/13153/report-failed-ufc-89-drug-test-nets-chris-leben-nine-month-suspension.mma
MV: Thanks for pointing out.
It appears like the UFC, when it must act as governing body, will determine fighter discipline for illegal drug use on a case-by-case basis. Thus, the disciplines may seem uneven.
Leben was suspended 9 months and fined but remained on the UFC roster. Now, he is hot (despite his recent DUI). He won 2 fights within a month of each other and is scheduled to fight on Jan 1.
Quieroz was dismissed, docked pay and the UFC reported its findings to the NSAC which may,according to the article, affect his attempts at getting a license in Nevada. I do not think that the UFC reported its findings on Leben’s positive test (if so, let me know, that would be interesting).
If you are a fighter with some success, do you risk taking PEDs knowing that you may get suspended for 9 mos, but remain on the UFC roster?
With a horribly bloated roster it makes perfect sense. But i feel it does set a precedent. The UFC need to push proper regulation in the UK
I wonder what would of happened if he won and the UFC had already cut Broughton because of the loss ?
How are we to know that the UFC didnt just want to release this guy. I think there is being to much read into this. There could be two different process’ rolled into one here. Take away the release and this guy pretty much got what Leben did. Now the next process is this guy lost a fight, likely broke terms of the contracts, has nothing to offer the UFC and they exercised their release clause. Just because the UFC released this guy dont give us the right to expect them to release everyone. The UFC releases rookies who lose after their first fight all the time. This guy could have been one of them. Was the UFC to keep him BECAUSE he fail his roid test when they originally would have let him go? Then they would be rewarding him.
The UFC has done a good job of policing themselves when they didnt have to and know one would have cared other wise. While other promotions purposely book states with no testing procedures. The UFC should be commended not scrutinized.