Middleweight Kevin Casey and light heavyweight Robert Drysdale failed drug tests following their respective bouts at UFC 175 and "The Ultimate Fighter 19" finale earlier this month.
Casey, who defeated Bubba Bush via first-round knockout at UFC 175 on July 5, tested positive for drostanolone, which is an anabolic steroid. Drysdale, who submitted Keith Berish in the opening frame at the “TUF 19” finale on July 6, had an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone (T/E) ratio of 12:1. The normal ratio in the average male is 1:1, while the Nevada Athletic Commission uses a 6:1 ratio as its cutoff point.
MMAJunkie.com first reported the news of the failed tests.
Shortly after the results were revealed, the UFC released the following statement:
The UFC has been notified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that UFC middleweight Kevin Casey and light heavyweight Robert Drysdale failed drug tests following their fights at UFC 175 and The Ultimate Fighter Finale, respectively. Casey tested positive for drostanolone and Drysdale was flagged for an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio. Both fighters have been temporarily suspended from competition and informed their positive tests violated the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC. The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance-enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by our athletes and will support the NSAC’s determination pending a formal hearing at a later date.
Casey and Drysdale were the only positive tests to occur following both events. Enhanced testing for both blood and urine was used at UFC 175, while “TUF 19” competitors submitted urine samples, according to the Nevada attorney general’s office.
As mentioned by the UFC, both Casey and Drysdale will eventually face a formal disciplinary hearing before the NAC, where they will likely be fined and suspended, as well as having their victories overturned. Drysdale was previously removed from a spot on the UFC 167 card when the NAC declined to medically clear him for having a 19.4:1 T/E ratio.
A veteran of “TUF 17,” Casey lost to Josh Samman at the show’s finale via second-round TKO in April 2013. He would pick up three straight wins under the Resurrection Fighting Alliance banner before returning to the Octagon to defeat Bush on July 5.
Drysdale, meanwhile, was originally scheduled to make his promotional debut at UFC 163 before a staph infection forced him to withdraw from a bout against Cody Donovan. The 33-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is 7-0 as a professional, with all of his wins coming inside of a round.
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