On Thursday the Nevada Athletic Commission determined that Rob Font’s positive drug test was caused by a non-prohibited substance. Similar to the USADA ruling in July, Font will not receive any suspension or fine.
Font received a positive drug test on May 22 for traces of a substance on the UFC’s prohibited list. However, USADA determined that he did not intend to cheat and received no performance-enhancing benefit from the substance, chlorphenesin, an organic compound that is used as a muscle relaxant to treat muscle pain and spasms. It is also a preservative found in lotion, hair products and sunscreen. Font will be randomly drug tested for the next six months.
At the commission hearing on Thursday, they heard testimony from Font and UFC Senior VP of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitsky which likely assisted in persuading the commission’s findings.
Payout Perspective:
The hearing and findings reflect the fact that drug testing is not as simple as finding performance enhancing substances. Notably, the threshold of “receiving no performance-enhancing benefit” and not intending to cheat seem to be factored into discipline. Fortunately for Font, this issue is behind him.
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