Both Riki Fukuda and Alex Caceres were flagged after failing their drug tests for UFC on Fuel TV 8 earlier this month. The two fighters have released statements with two different rationales behind the failed tests.
MMA Junkie has the information from both fighters’ camps:
“Fukuda said over-the-counter cold medication prompted his failed test for banned stimulants, and Caceres said he takes ‘full responsibility’ for failing his test due to marijuana metabolites.”
Fukuda has since been cut from the UFC after a 2-3 run in the promotion. Fukuda lost a decision to Brad Tavares at the event. The Japanese fighter said that he had taken cold medicine a few weeks prior to the bout but forgot to disclose the use prior to being tested.
Fukuda tested positive for phenylpropanolamine, norpseudoephedrine and ephedrine.
Meanwhile, along with a six-month suspension and his win being overturned to a no-contest, Caceres must undergo drug rehabilitation classes and pass another drug test upon his return to MMA.
I’ve personally never been a fan of the “Bruce Leeroy” shtick, but I will give him props for how he’s handled the situation (via MMA Junkie):
I accept full responsibility for my actions and the consequences from those actions. I apologize to all that I have disappointed, including the UFC, my family, coaches, training partners and fans. I accept the sanctions from the UFC, and I look forward to completing the necessary steps to getting back in the octagon following the suspension and assuring that this never happens again.
While I’m unsure of the sincerity of Caceres‘ statement, it is refreshing to see a fighter take responsibility instead of passing the blame with the usual lines of “my trainer gave me this” or “I didn’t know what was in the supplement.”
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