The hits just keep on coming when it comes to MMA and performance-enhancing drugs, as Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com is reporting that UFC welterweight contender (and former Bellator middleweight champion) Hector Lombard has failed a drug test administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. According to the NSAC, Lombard failed a post-fight drug test at UFC 182 for desoxymethyltestosterone, a designer steroid. The failed drug test resulted in the sudden cancellation of Lombard's UFC 186 fight with fellow contender Rory MacDonald.
A date for Lombard's preliminary hearing has not been set, but it is possible he may appear at the Commission's February 17 hearing. He likely faces a suspension and fine, and he will also likely see his win over Josh Burkman overturned to a no-contest.
The news is the latest drug test-related hit to the UFC, which has seen multiple prominent fighters get flagged for PEDs and drugs of abuse. Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was discovered to be using cocaine through a pre-fight drug test for his UFC 182 bout with Daniel Cormier. At UFC 183, both main event fighters failed drug tests, with Anderson Silva failing a pre-fight drug test for two steroids, and Nick Diaz failing a post-fight drug test for marijuana.
Worth noting is that while MacDonald vs. Lombard was a particularly strong fight, UFC 186 remains very interesting. Two championship bouts headline the card in T.J. Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao 2 and Demetrious Johnson vs. Kyoji Horiguchi. The card also features the likely UFC return of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson opposite Fabio Maldonado and an important middleweight fight between Michael Bisping and CB Dollaway.
A date for Lombard's preliminary hearing will likely be set in the coming days. Stick with Bleacher Report for more details as they become available.
