Dave Herman passes drug test, cleared for UFC 162 bout with Gabriel Gonzaga

Dave Herman (21-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC) is set for his UFC 162 bout against Gabriel Gonzaga (14-7 MMA, 9-6 UFC) after passing a pre-fight drug test ordered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

NSAC Executive Director confirmed to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the heavyweight passed a 10-panel test for a variety of banned substances, including marijuana, which landed him in hot water in previous bouts.

Two positive tests for the drug were brought front and center during an NSAC meeting on Monday in Las Vegas, which prompted the commission to order a same-day drug test for Herman and require he pass it in order to obtain a conditional, one-fight license for Saturday’s pay-per-view event at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Earlier this year, Herman went into rehab as part of a suspension issued by the UFC, which flagged him for pot following his submission loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 153 this past October. He passed the program and was subsequently booked to meet Gonzaga.

During the NSAC meeting, Herman said he hadn’t used the drug since this past November and had turned his life around. He also said he’d moved from Southern California, where he once held a medical marijuana license, to Lebanon, Tenn., where he trained himself for Saturday’s fight.

Any pot in Herman’s system would have precluded him from a license, according to Kizer.

A positive pre-fight test at UFC 136 was the first time marijuana robbEd Herman of a fighting opportunity. His fight with Gonzaga likely is his last chance to stay in the UFC following a three-fight skid in the octagon. Gonzaga lost his most recent fight after winning his past three.

For the latest on UFC 162, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.