Three fighters who have recently competed under the Ultimate
Fighting Championship banner received fines and suspensions from
the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Wednesday.
Heavyweight Chris
Barnett was suspended four-and-a-half months and fined
$1,036.80 after testing positive for marijuana in relation to a
submission loss to Ben Rothwell
in his Octagon debut at UFC Fight Night 188 on May 22. Although the
NSAC
voted in July to no longer sanction fighters who test positive for
marijuana, that measure does not exclude fighters like Barnett
who faced punishment before the ruling.
Barnett’s suspension is retroactive to the date of his bout and
will end on Oct. 6.
Meanwhile, Brazilian heavyweight Rodrigo
Nascimento received a six-month sanction and a $1,945.36 fine
after testing positive for ritalinic acid, a metabolite of the
banned stimulant methylphenidate, in relation to a July 17 bout
against Baudot.
Nascimento defeated Baudot via second-round TKO at UFC on ESPN 26,
but that result is expected to be overturned to a no contest.
Nascimento’s suspension will conclude on Jan. 17.
Finally, Daniel
Pineda was suspended nine months and fined $2,554.38 after
testing positive for amphetamine in relation to a June 26 matchup
against Andre Fili.
The UFC Fight Night 190 bout was ruled a no contest when Pineda was
rendered unable to continue due to an accidental eye poke. He will
be eligibile to return to action on March 26.