Jiu-jitsu ace Robert Drysdale has been removed from the fight card of UFC 167 after testing positive for elevated testosterone in a Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) mandated out-of-competition drug test, NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer confirmed to MMAFighting.com.
Drysdale tested out at a 19.4-to-1 testosterone-to-epitestosterone level, well above the 6-to-1 limit allowable by the NSAC.
According to Kizer, Drysdale has not been medically cleared to compete due to the failed test. His license, however, was never denied, despite conflicting reports.
A decorated grappler owning both ADCC and Mundials gold, Drysdale (6-0) is undefeated thus far in his MMA career, having finished all six of his opponents via first-round submission. He was scheduled to make his UFC debut against Ednaldo Oliveira on August 3 at UFC 163, however a staph infection caused him to withdraw from the bout.
Drysdale was subsequently slated to meet Cody Donovan (8-3) on November 16 at UFC 167. Due to his failed drug test, UFC officials have tabbed Strikeforce veteran Gian Villante (10-4) as a replacement.
According to NSAC officials, Chael Sonnen and Frank Mir also underwent out-of-competition drug testing for UFC 167, the latter of which took place prior to Mir being pulled from the card. Both men passed all testing.