Add two more names to the increasingly expansive list of UFC fighters to get popped for banned substances in 2014.
Both Kevin Casey and Robert Drysdale failed post-fight drug tests following their respective bouts at the UFC’s International Fight Week in July, Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) Deputy Attorney General Christopher Eccles confirmed to MMAFighting.com on Wednesday following an initial report by MMAJunkie.com.
Casey, an alumnus of TUF 17 who stopped Bubba Bush in just 61 seconds at UFC 175, tested positive for the anabolic steroid drostanolone. Drysdale, meanwhile, popped for elevated levels of testosterone following his two-minute submission of Keith Berish at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale, marking the second failed drug test of his brief UFC career.
Drysdale was previously denied a license by the NAC in mid-2013 after an out-of-competition drug test revealed that the jiu-jitsu specialist possessed a testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio of 19.4:1, well above the Nevada legal limit.
When contacted by MMAFighting.com via text message about reports of another failed test, Drysdale said simply, “They are crazy.”
According to NAC representatives, Casey and Drysdale will be expected to appear at an upcoming commission meeting as a result of their failed tests. Both fighters are likely to incur suspensions and fines, in addition to their wins being overturned into no contests.
UPDATE: UFC officials released the following statement late Wednesday.
“The UFC has been notified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that UFC middleweight Kevin Casey and light heavyweight Robert Drysdale failed drug tests following their fights at UFC 175 and The Ultimate Fighter Finale, respectively. Casey tested positive for drostanolone and Drysdale was flagged for an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio. Both fighters have been temporarily suspended from competition and informed their positive tests violated the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC. The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance-enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by our athletes and will support the NSAC’s determination pending a formal hearing at a later date.”