Joey Beltran
On Thursday, news broke that both UFC light heavyweight Joey ‘The Mexicutioner’ Beltran and UFC middleweight Rousimar Palhares had failed post-fight drug tests following last months UFC on FX 6 event in Australia.
Beltran tested positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone, while Palhares tested positive for elevated testosterone levels. Both fighters received nine month suspensions and Beltran had his victory over Igor Pokrajac changed to a “No Contest.”
Both fighters released statements today on the failed drug tests denying any intentional wrong doing on their part, but were accepting of the sentences handed down by Ultimate Fighting Championship officials.
Beltran took to Twitter (@mexicutioner760) to apologize to fans over the “shame” of the situation.
I can say without a shadow of a doubt I did not inject Nandrolone into my body. I am sorry to my family and friends for the shame this brought to any of you. I promise soon the whole story will be told and I will go through whatever is necessary to find the reason for this positive test. I am at fault for taking a supplement or perhaps combination of something that caused my test result. My team and I will seek the truth. I am sorry once again and truly apologize to the people that matter the most to me.
– Joey Beltran
Palhares released a statement to MMAjunkie.com which was posted this afternoon.
“I’ve always been extremely regimented with my diet and would not use anything that could harm my body or my performance inside the octagon,” Palhares stated. “And it wasn’t different this time. I never had the intention to cheat. I’ve got almost 30 fights in my career, most of them in the UFC. I have been subjected to several surprise tests, and there was never anything wrong. Besides, I knew that I would be tested after the fight in Australia because it is standard in the UFC. I have a clear conscience, but accepted the punishment. The rules are there for everyone and must be followed.
“I consulted with my doctor, and he will go over all food supplements used in my preparation for the fight and the test results. I want to know exactly what happened that made the testosterone rate unusual in my body.”
Both men will now have to sit out for the next nine months and will have to pass a drug test before they are reinstated.
UFC on FX 6 took place on December 15, 2012 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Queensland, Australia.
As noted, Beltran had originally earned a unanimous decision over Pokrajac competing on the Fuel TV broadcasted prelim card, while Palhares suffered a first round TKO defeat against Hector Lombard in the opening main card bout on FX television.