The most famous UFC fighters who tested positive for steroids
The UFC and PEDs go hand in hand. Who are some of the most famous UFC fighters who tested positive for steroids?
When we talk about UFC, performance enhancing drugs are at the heart of an ongoing conversation. Over the years, hundreds of UFC fighters have failed PED tests, some of whom got punished for it, others who have not. Although it may be complicated for some people to differentiate between legal and illegal drugs in the UFC, one thing is for sure: the UFC takes its drug testing very seriously.
As soon as a fighter signs with UFC, the USADA (anti-doping agency) testing protocol starts and the fighter is randomly tested for PEDs several times a year (on average). We’ve summed up the whole process of how UFC fighters get tested for our readers here. In the meantime, let’s take talk about fighters who tested positive for anabolic steroids in the UFC.
Over the years, many famous UFC fighters have failed PED tests. In 2020 alone, USADA ran 3,230 urine tests and 327 blood tests, and issued 21 sanctions out of which most were for anabolic agents or steroids. Some of the most famous fighters who failed drug tests in 2020 are Jamahal Hill and Luis Pena. And while we’ve seen many fighters test positive for steroid use, we’ve compiled a list of the most famous ones below:
Famous UFC fighters who tested positive for steroids
- Jon Jones —considered one of the most naturally gifted fighters in the UFC, the American consistently failed drug tests times in his career. He became a champion at 23 years old and secured wins over some big names like Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, and Lyoto Machida. One month prior to his victory over Daniel Cormier at UFC 182, Jones tested positive for cocaine and was not punished. He then tested positive for cocaine again days before the UFC 200 event against Daniel Cormier. In 2016, he failed yet another drug test, but this time for Turinabol, for which he got a 15-month suspension.
- Anderson Silva– is often seen as a legend and one of the best fighters in UFC history. Unfortunately, his reputation was hurt after failing drug tests on two separate occasions. The Brazilian tested positive for two different anabolic steroids, drostanolone and androsterone, following his bout against Nick Diaz at UFC 183. And shortly after, he tested positive once again in 2017 to receive a one-year suspension along with a $380,000 fine.
- TJ Dillashaw– is the former UFC 135lbs champ who tested positive for EPO, a glycoprotein that increases aerobic capacity, after losing against Henry Cejudo in 2019. According to Dillashaw himself, the California-native took EPO on purpose, for which he received a 15-month suspension. Dillashaw is also one of the few fighters who owned up to his test results.
- Brock Lesnar- the American who got a shot at the UFC Heavyweight championship after only one victory in the promotion. Four years after his retirement, Lesnar returned to the Octagon and defeated Mark Hunt at UFC 200. His victory was overturned however after testing positive for estrogen blocker- Clomiphene. Lesnar was also suspended for a year, and fined $250,000.
- Chael Sonnen- Sonnen’s career in the UFC ended due to multiple drug tests failures- two random drug tests, and a third one that was positive for four banned substances. One of those tests even disclosed that he had 16 times the normal amount of testosterone in his body. Sonnen was banned for two years, and had his UFC analyst position taken away.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED: Do UFC fighters have to take drug tests? Can they take testosterone or steroids?