NAC extends suspension of 4 UFC fighters

The Nevada Athletic Commission extended suspensions of 4 UFC fighters due to failed in-competition drug tests. 

Jamahal Hill, Tim Elliott, Luis Pena and Marc-Andre Barriault failed in-competition drug tests from fights at The UFC Apex in Nevada.  The fighters were temporarily suspended pending the commission meeting on Wednesday.  The athletes will have disciplinary hearings regarding their respective drug test infractions.

Previously, it was reported that Hill and Elliott failed drug tests related to marijuana.  Similarly, Pena failed a test for marijuana.  Barriault failed his drug tests after it was determined that there were traces of ostarine in his system.  The fighter stated that he did not intentionally ingest ostarine as it may have been in a dietary supplement he took.  Barriault defeated Oskar Piechota by 2^nd round TKO at a UFC event on June 20^th.  Pena lost to Khama Worthy via third-round submission.

Cannabis is prohibited in-competition by the NSAC over a threshold of 150 ng/ml. 

All 4 are likely to be facing possible discipline from the UFC Anti-Doping Agent, USADA.

Payout Perspective:

It is interesting to note that Pena’s positive test came from a urine sample submitted on July 24, 3 days prior to his July 27^th bout.  This would indicate that the test would be “out-of-competition” as opposed to “in-competition” as they claim.  This factual issue should come up in the defense of Pena as his case goes forward as the UFC does not test for marijuana out-of-competition although the NAC rules may differ.