The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) on Monday handed down a one-year suspension to UFC light heavyweight Robert Drysdale for his failed post-fight drug test following his debut fight with the promotion in July.
Drysdale, a decorated 33-year-old jiu-jitsu specialist, tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone following his first-round rear-naked choke victory over Keith Berish at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale on July 6, 2014.
Drysdale on Monday told the NAC that he previously underwent testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) but stopped the now-banned treatment two months prior to his UFC debut. Drysdale failed to disclose either of those facts on his pre-fight medicals, and his subsequent drug test revealed a testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio of 12:1, well above the Nevada legal limit of 4:1.
Drysdale was previously denied a license by the NAC in mid-2013 after an out-of-competition drug test revealed a testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio of 19.4:1.
“I think we have given the industry adequate time to adjust to our elimination of this type of an exemption,” said Commissioner Skip Avansino.
As a result of his failed test, the NAC imposed a one-year suspension on Drysdale retroactive to his July fight, fined Drysdale 33-percent of his $16,000 fight purse ($5,280), and overturned his win over Berish into a no contest.
Drysdale (6-0, 1 NC) remains on the UFC roster at this time. The Brazilian-American is undefeated with all six of his victories coming via first-round submission.