Hector Lombard has been suspended one year, fined $70,490 which accounts for his entire win bonus and 33 percent of his show money. The ruling was handed down at the Nevada Athletic Commission’s monthly meeting held on Monday per MMA Fighting.
Lombard tested positive for the anabolic steroid desoxymethyltestosterone (DMT) after his UFC 182 fight on January 3rd. Lombard did not contest that DMT was found within his sample.
Lombard expressed regret and apologized for the failed drug test. He indicated that he took something under the belief that the medication was “all-natural.” But, the commission did not buy the ignorance argument or the mitigating argument that he never failed a previous test. The commissioned ruled that the 37 year old fighter cannot fight in the state until January 3, 2016.
Payout Perspective:
A stern ruling from the commission but based on the information it’s clear that Lombard had taken DMT and did not report it. With the rash of fighter’s testing positive for PEDs, it was natural for the commission to issue the ban without any leniency. It does not appear that Lombard will appeal so we will see what that means for his career.
The 12-month suspension is more than acceptable as it will prevent him from generating any income for a whole year. The fine is ridiculous & seems more like a cash-grab from the commission.
If the fight is a no contest why is he getting a win bonus?
Essentially he was fined more than he should have made.
Do fighters who test positive for PED’s still get show and win money?