What’s the deal with MMA fighters and drugs? It seems like every time you turn around, another star in this fast-growing sport is testing positive for cocaine, marijuana, steroids or other controlled substances. The suspensions are flying, and UFC president Dana White and other industry bigwigs can’t be too happy about it.

But how much impact are these drug suspensions having on the fighters and their sport, and does it make sense to suspend fighters for using recreational drugs? MMA is like a runaway freight train with designs on marketing to mainstream America, but every time an athlete is banned, there’s a strong chance he’s back in business in a matter of months. Let’s take a look at a few of these high profile drug cases and their fallout.

MMA Fighters suspended for drugs

Besides the coked out stare, Elvis is looking pretty good these days. Photo courtesy of sherdog.com

Ricco Rodriguez - (30-9-0) – Suspended for cocaine use
Sentence – 6 month suspension

A once-great talent, Rodriguez made some serious noise in the UFC heavyweight division (eventually winning the championship by submitting Randy Couture) before he was relegated to Pride and some smaller promotions thanks to a variety of personal issues. These problems culminated in November 2006 when, following a win over Imani Lee, he was suspended indefinitely due to testing positive for cocaine and marijuana. Eventually he took his cocaine addiction issues to the airwaves when he appeared on the hit VH1 reality show, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.

Career Outlook: In MMA, not so good. In Celebrity Big Brother 4 or The Surreal Life, outstanding!

"I am Diego. This is my finger."

Diego Sanchez – (19-2-0) – Suspended for marijuana use
Sentence – 3 month suspension, $500 fine

A member of the original cast of The Ultimate Fighter, Sanchez was enjoying a nice 17 fight win streak to kick off his MMA career when he tested positive for marijuana in the days leading up to his big fight against Josh Koscheck. Whether or not the drug ban was a significant distraction remains to be seen, but Sanchez did lose that fight and his next battle (against Jon Fitch). Since then, Diego seems to have gotten his life back on track. He’s 2-0 in the two fights since.

Career Outlook: Great. This is one kid who seems to (Finally!) have his head screwed on according to factory specifications.

Melvin Guillard – (23-7-2) – Suspended for cocaine use
Sentence – 8 month suspension, $2100 fine

This lightweight and Season 2 Ultimate Fighter alum learned the hard way that people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones when after accusing 2007 opponent Joe Stevenson of using HGH, Guillard himself tested positive for cocaine immediately after the fight (which he lost after being dropped by a guillotine choke from Stevenson). Guillard served his drug suspension, paid his fine and has gone 2-1 since, including a “Knock Out Of The Night” performance at UFC 86.

Career outlook: Good, provided he learns the meaning of irony.

Photo courtesy of sherdog.com

Kaz Nakamura - (11-8-0) – Suspended for marijuana use
Sentence – Released from contract

The PRIDE veteran proved that you can get away with doing drugs in the UFC but not if you’re losing. After an 0-2 start against sketchy opponents, Nakamura tested positive for marijuana and was promptly released by the UFC. Who’s to say how things might have turned out if he had started 2-0?

Career Outlook: In Japan and other countries, Nakamura can easily regain his momentum, in the United States – not so much.

Photo courtesy of sherdog.com

Nick Diaz – (17-7-0) – Suspended for Marijuana use
Sentence – 3 month suspension, $3000 fine

The UFC doesn’t have a monopoly on stupid behavior, as PRIDE FC fighter Nick Diaz proved in 2007 when he derailed his promising career with a positive marijuana test. After serving a three-month suspension after the drug test (the one that observers say he was “nervous” to take) Diaz signed with the upstart Elite XC promotion and has recorded a respectable 2-1 record since.

Career Outlook: Solid, if he doesn’t look too jumpy before his next drug test.

Photo courtesy of sherdog.com

Adam Smith – (0-2-0) – Suspended for using pretty much everything
Sentence – 21 month suspension, $4000 fine

A veritable 5-tool player when it comes to substance abuse, the talented Smith has the dubious honor of being the first and only fighter in Nevada history – boxing or MMA – to test positive for drugs and performance enhancing substances at the same time. After his 2007 loss at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills (a non-sanctioned bout he was able to participate in even though he was under previous drug suspension) he tested positive for marijuana, cocaine and steroids. Smith has talent, but even when his suspension expires in September 2008 one has to wonder how long he will be able to stay in the sport.

Career outlook: Bleak, unless the UFC is adding a crack-hold submission to the official rules.


So obviously it’s a mixed bag with these fighters since their outlooks are as different as their fighting styles. It leaves one wondering why they were taking drugs so close to fight time in the first place. The reasons may be the nature of MMA itself. The sport is so intense that, depending upon the fighter’s personality – athletes may need to calm down by using marijuana, or get hyped up from cocaine or other stimulants.

Or perhaps it’s simply a matter of choosing the right role model. If so, MMA fighters looking to get clean and stay drug-free might want to look for someone other than the world-famous Chuck Liddell, seen here at something less than his finest hour, to emulate:

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 3:36 pm in Drug Addiction, News