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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Zuffa has released a statement regarding the positive drug test results from Stephan Bonnar and Dave "PeeWee" Herman out of last month's UFC 153 event:
"Stephan Bonnar and Dave Herman tested positive for banned substances following their bouts at UFC 153. The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance-enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents. Both fighters have admitted taking the banned substances and have orally agreed to suspensions. Once the suspensions have been reduced to written agreements, the results of their tests and the agreed upon suspensions will be sent to the Association of Boxing Commissions official record-keeper so other jurisdictions will be on notice.”
Penick's Analysis: The wording is obviously a little weird, with the phrase "once the suspensions have been reduced to written agreements," but it's essentially saying they'll pass along the information once the verbally agreed to punishments have been put to paper and signed off on. Both fighters are likely to get one-year suspensions, though in Bonnar's case it doesn't matter as he's retired. The more telling thing from the statement is that both fighters admitted guilt, which in Bonnar's case means he's not attempting to contest the results, or claim that something else was to blame for the positive test.
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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