Brian Bowles fails UFC 160 drug test due to elevated T/E levels

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has temporarily suspended Brian Bowles after saying he tested positive for an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio following his loss at UFC 160.

NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer today informed MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the bantamweight came back with an T/E ratio of more than 20-1. The commission’s official limit is 6-1.

Kizer said Bowles hadn’t applied for a therapeutic-use exemption for testosterone-replacement therapy prior to the event. The fighter declined comment when contacted by MMAjunkie.com today.

Remaining drug tests for UFC 160, which took place May 25 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, came back negative for performance-enhancers and drugs of abuse. All 24 competitors on the card were tested.

Bowles (10-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC), a former WEC champion, fought George Roop (14-9-1 MMA, 4-5 UFC) on the Facebook-streamed preliminary card of the event, which was headlined by a heavyweight title bout between champ Cain Velasquez and Antonio Silva. Bowles suffered a second-round TKO loss, which was his second consecutive setback inside the octagon.

The Nevada Attorney General’s office, which oversees disciplinary action for the NSAC, will formally notify Bowles of his positive test and temporary suspension on Monday.

Bowles has the right to appeal the findings at a future NSAC meeting. A punishment, likely in the form of a fine and suspension, also would be determined at a future meeting if the test results are upheld.

Since transitioning from the now-defunct WEC to the UFC, Bowles has struggled with persistent injuries. UFC 160 was his first fight since UFC 139 in November 2011, which ended via a second-round submission loss to Urijah Faber. Bowles stands at 2-2 inside the octagon.

For full coverage of UFC 160, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

(Pictured: Brian Bowles and George Roop)