Silva, Diaz and Eye are three athletes involved in controversy in the past. Photo: MMA Press Production
On Tuesday night (06), the news that Jon Jones he had been caught using cocaine in a surprise doping test last year and that he would enter a rehabilitation clinic for treatment went down like a bombshell in the world of MMA.
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In a surprise test carried out on December 4 last year, the UFC light heavyweight champion had a substance derived from cocaine detected in his system. However, as it is not a substance banned by WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) during an out-of-competition period, the fighter was allowed to participate in UFC 182, an event in which he defeated Daniel Cormier in the judges' decision.
Despite the great shock caused by the news, although never before with a star of Jones' greatness, cases involving athletes and problems of chemical dependency or recreational drug use are nothing new in mixed martial arts.
Below, the SUPER FIGHTS lists some of the most famous episodes involving UFC athletes:
Melvin guillard
M. Guillard (photo) was caught for using cocaine during competition. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Currently in WSOF, the former participant of The Ultimate Fighter 2 was caught using cocaine during the competition period in the anti-doping test carried out during UFC Fight Night 9, in April 2007. Due to the episode, Guillard, who had been finished by TUF partner Joe Stevensson in just 27 seconds, received an eight-month suspension and received a fine of around US$2 (approximately R$4 at the rate at the time). At the time, the fighter said that he only used the drug for recreational purposes and that he was not addicted. Guillard remained inactive only during the period of his punishment and returned to the Octagon shortly after the sanction ended, having remained in the UFC until March 2014.
Nick Diaz
“Suspicious” photos on Diaz’s social media. Photo: Reproduction
Admitted marijuana user, Nick Diaz He makes no effort to hide his drug use, and has published photos or texts suggesting use on social media on several occasions. Diaz's relationship and cannabis, however, has already cost the controversial North American dearly, who was suspended twice after being caught with traces of the drug in his system after his fights, in 2007 in the now-defunct PRIDE and in 2012 after losing the interim middleweight belt dispute -medium for Carlos Condit in the UFC.
“I’m not a doctor or a f***ing scientist, but I’ve smoked a lot of weed in my life. And, in my opinion, it’s really good. I think it's the healthiest thing for anyone who just wants to chill out for a while. Not cigarettes, but marijuana expands your lungs, you breathe well”, said the next opponent of Anderson Silva once, when defending the recreational use of the drug.
Jessica Eye
J. Eye had his first Octagon win reversed in an NC. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
But our list isn't just about big guys. Traces of marijuana in the body's first fight in Ultimate also cost the beauty a positive result Jessica Eye, who had her triumph over Sarah Kaufmma reversed into a “No Contest” (fight without result) after being caught taking a drug test at UFC 166. After the incident, Jessica wrote a letter to the Texas Licensing and Regulatory Board in which she tried explain what happened. The fighter justified herself by saying that she had reconciled with her father, who had long been separated from the family, and that they and some friends used the drug in her presence during a welcome party at her home. The athlete argued that she tried to blame her father for her behavior, but that she was threatened and even attacked. According to Eye, the long time in the presence of marijuana users may have resulted in the presence of traces of the drug in her body.
Thiago Silva
T. Silva was suspended for 6 months for using marijuana. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Fired twice from the UFC last year for threatening his ex-wife with a firearm, accused of also being under the influence of cocaine when he committed the crime, the Brazilian light heavyweight was suspended for six months in November 2012 , after testing positive for marijuana following his submission victory over Stalistav Nedkov at UFC Macau.
Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan has been a UFC commentator since 1997. Photo: Disclosure
Perhaps the most curious name on our list. In April 2014, Joe Rogan, official UFC commentator at pay-per-view and broadcast on open TV in the USA by FOX, was caught using marijuana in an anti-doping test by the organization, which extended the tests to its entire staff. Rogan was suspended from his duties on the official broadcast, but his punishment was overturned shortly afterwards, when the event announced that it would no longer include marijuana in the list of substances screened for by the tests.
Josh Rosenthal
J. Rosenthal is still serving a sentence in the USA for drug trafficking and illegal marijuana cultivation. Photo: Disclosure
Among all the cases listed here, without a doubt the most serious involves former referee Josh Rosenthal. After an investigation in the state of California, it was discovered that the referee was cultivating more than 1300 marijuana plants, whose estimated resale value is around US$6 million (R$16,2 million, at the current price). Had he not pleaded guilty, Rosenthal could have been sentenced to ten years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of US$1 million (R$2,70 million). Upon confessing to the crime, the former judge was sentenced to “only” 37 months in prison and two years of probation.
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