Recently retired UFC light heavyweight staple Stephan Bonnar has failed his UFC 153 Post-Fight drug test, MMA Junkie reports. Bonnar competed against UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva in a light heavyweight contested, losing by first round TKO.
MMA Junkie confirmed with UFC officials that Bonnar tested positive for Drostanolone, an anabolic steroid. The officials also told the popular MMA media outlet that all 24 fighters that competed at the event submitted drug tests.
The only other fighter to test positive for a banned substance was UFC heavyweight Dave “Pee Wee” Herman, who had traces of marijuana metabolites in his system.
Since the event took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the UFC acted as their own athletic commission for the high-selling pay-per-view spectacle. UFC executive Marc Ratner indicated that suspensions will likely be issued to both fighters next week.
“The American Psycho,” whose best known for his three-round brawl with Forrest Griffin during the finals of the first “The Ultimate Fighter” series, tested positive for Boldenone metabolites, another anabolic steroid, at UFC 62 in Aug. 2006.
The bout was a long-awaited rematch with Griffin, which Bonnar also lost via unanimous decision. After the fight, Bonnar owned up to the positive drug test, stating that he took the drug to speed up the rehabilitation for an elbow injury.
The penalty issued by the Nevada State Athletic Commission was a nine-month suspension and a $5,000 fine.
UFC president Dana White nonchalantly told fans in an online chat sponsored by Metro PCS (via MMA Mania) on Tuesday that Bonnar had decided to retire following his loss to Silva.
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, who trained under the legendary Carlson Gracie, responded with a message on his Facebook fan page:
“Huge thanks to every UFC fan out there! All I ever wanted was to bring y’all some fun…hope u were entertained. Peace, love, & violence!”
The 34-year-old Indiana native retires with a 15-8 record in professional mixed martial arts, with Silva being the only man to stop him via a legitimate TKO (Bonnar suffered two TKO losses via a cut).
Will the UFC hand Bonnar a suspension to make a statement or will they let the pioneer of modern day MMA simply enjoy his retirement?