Kevin
Lee received a temporary suspension from the Nevada State
Athletic Commission after testing positive for a banned
stimulant.
Lee tested positive for the amphetamine Adderall in relation to his
UFC on ESPN 30 loss to Daniel
Rodriguez. The NSAC voted to further extend a temporary
suspension during a Wednesday hearing. Lee’s case is expected to be
heard at the next commission meeting on Nov. 17.
Lee released a statement via Instagram apologizing for his failed
drug test.
“I have tested over the limit allowed by the Nevada State Athletic
Commission in my most recent fight. In 2018 I was diagnosed with
Adult ADHD, it has always affected me,” Lee wrote. “I did not
discover real treatment for the diagnosis until 2020 when I was
recovering from my double knee surgeries. I was prescribed Adderall
from a doctor to improve my mental Health. I told representatives
from USADA but did not apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption from
the NSAC before my last fight. For that, I truly apologize to the
UFC, the commission, my opponent, Dana White, the matchmakers, Sean
Shelby and Mick Maynard, and the fans.
“It was never my intention to gain an athletic advantage. It was an
attempt to conquer the severe anxiety I silently suffer from daily.
I am actively cooperating with the Nevada Athletic Commission and
expect to reach an agreement on a sanction. I will use this time to
heal and come back stronger. Sorry for my lack of professionalism
that lead to this disappointment, I’ll be back.”
Lee later posted an additional statement in which he detailed his
battles with alcohol and substance abuse.
“I’ll just speak as a human not as a fighter right now,” Lee wrote.
“I’ve been embarrassed these last few weeks since knowing this news
would come out. I always knew my brain worked different than other
people and I’ve tried to hide my whole life. Before I started
taking medicine I spent a lot of my time drunk. I been scared
knowing that the world would know exactly what’s wrong with me.
“But from now, fuck all that. I’m not embarrassed and I’m not
hiding behind diagnosis’s and pills or alcohol or none of that no
more. I haven’t been drunk for about a month (which is a lot for me
outside of fight camp) and no more prescriptions. Not that I think
they are wrong or harmful but this next stage of healing I need to
be sober and connected with God. Making a post is holding me
accountable, if there’s one person out there like me I’m with
you.”
Lee has fallen on hard times in the promotion, losing four of his
last five UFC bouts. At one point, “The Motown Phenom” won nine of
10 appearances before falling to Tony
Ferguson in an interim ligthweight title bout at UFC 216.