“The Phoenix” will be eligible to fight again in April 2022.
On Wednesday, USADA announced
that former
Ultimate Fighting Championship contender Erik Koch had
accepted his 18-month suspension. “The Phoenix” tested positive for
a metabolite of stanozolol called 3′-hydroxy-stanozolol. The test
was carried on Oct. 3, 2020, coinciding with the date when his
period of ineligibility begins.
Koch (16-6) most recently competed at UFC 240 in July 2019, when he
outpointed Kyle
Stewart via unanimous decision. That night, the
World Extreme Cagefighting vet snapped a two-bout skid in
addition to registering his first win since May 29, 2016.
Previously, he dropped back-to-back decisions to Clay Guida and
Bobby
Green.
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On Dec. 23, 2020, the news broke out that “The
Phoenix” was laid off by the UFC. The 32-year old fighter
terminated his run in the Nevada-based promotion after 10 fights.
Ultimately, he earned five wins and five defeats, fighting across
three weigh-classes: featherweight, lightweight and
welterweight.
The UFC vet also received a six-month reduction for having
collaborated to clarify his position with USADA. As a result, he
will be cleared to fight again starting April 2022. 
