After failed marijuana test, UFC's Pat Healy loses at least $130,000 in bonuses

An evening with old friends ultimately will cost UFC lightweight Pat Healy at least $130,000 in lost bonuses.

As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported Tuesday, Healy (29-16 MMA, 0-1 UFC) failed a post-fight drug test following his recent UFC 159 win over fellow lightweight Jim Miller (22-4 MMA, 11-3 UFC). His third-round submission victory has been overturned to a no-contest, and he’s been suspended 90 days, according to Healy.

Additionally, though the organization hasn’t made a formal announcement, Healy must surrender his $65,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus and a $65,000 “Submission of the Night” award, as well as his undisclosed win bonus for the April 27 fight, which took place in Newark, N.J.

Healy, who fessed up to marijuana use in a prepared statement, used the drug while out with his friends a month before the fight, according to Phil Claud, Healy’s trainer at Sports Lab in Portland, Ore.

It’s a costly penalty for a non-performance-enhancing drug – one that can stay in a fighter’s system far longer than most other drugs. The system for penalizing marijuana users has come under fire in recent months, especially as the legal use of testosterone-replacement therapy remains an issue in the sport. Still, Healy stated he should have been a “better role model.”

The UFC recently changed its policy and currently withholds fight-night bonuses until drug-testing results are available.

The bout would have been Healy’s seventh consecutive win following a successful run in the now-defunct Strikeforce promotion, where a promised title shot with then-champ Gilbert Melendez never materialized.

The UFC is expected to issue a statement on the situation this week.

For complete coverage of UFC 159, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.