UFC 159 fighter Pat Healy has tested positive for marijuana following his win over Jim Miller at the event in New Jersey held last month.
According to a statement from Healy released through his management team at Iridium Sports Agency on Tuesday, the former Strikeforce contender has taken responsibility for the mistake following the positive test returned from the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board.
“I would like to start off by apologizing to the UFC, Jim Miller, the MMA community, its fans, my family, teammates and coaches for my positive testing for marijuana after my UFC 159 fight with Jim Miller.” Healy said in a statement emailed to Bleacher Report on Tuesday. “I was fully aware of the UFC and State Commissions drug policies and made poor life choices. I stand behind the UFC and the State Commission’s disciplinary actions.
“I support efforts to make MMA and sports a clean, safe and fair place to compete. First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge and take responsibility for my mistake. I made a very poor choice to socially use marijuana and now I must face the consequences of that choice. I can assure you that I will do everything the UFC and State Commission asks of me and beyond. I will also make a conscious effort to be a better role model within the MMA community.”
Healy’s manager Jason House also confirmed the positive drug test when speaking to Bleacher Report on Tuesday evening after they received a letter from the New Jersey commission about the results.
“It was a social mistake,” House stated. “He knows he made a mistake and made a poor choice.”
According to House, the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board has not handed down any punishment to Healy as of yet for the positive drug test. House says the commission will hold a meeting to decide on Healy’s punishment at a later date.
New Jersey State Athletic Control Board counsel Nick Lembo responded to Bleacher Report on Tuesday evening but stated “no comment” regarding Healy’s positive drug test or possible suspension. Because of medical laws in the state, New Jersey is not required to release drug test results to the public unless the fighters choose to release the information themselves.
If there is another downside to Healy’s positive drug test, it’s the fact that he will likely now lose his post-fight bonuses that came out to $130,000 for his performance that night. Healy earned two separate $65,000 bonuses for Submission of the Night and Fight of the Night in his fight with Miller.
Earlier this year, however, the UFC instituted a new policy that all post-fight bonuses be withheld until drug testing results had been returned. Unless a different decision is made in Healy’s case, it appears the fighter will lose both of his bonuses.
UPDATE: According to representatives from Healy’s camp in a statement to Bleacher Report, the initial letter received from the commission indicated a 90-day suspension for the infraction and his win against Miller would be overturned to a no-contest. The information was also confirmed in a report by MMAJunkie.com.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report
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