Shark Fights Cancels James Irvin vs. Houston Alexander After Irvin Allegedly Tests Positive for Steroids

Shark Fights has canceled an upcoming fight between Houston Alexander and James Irvin due to an alleged positive drug test for Irvin following his last fight in California.

The promotion made the announcement on Wednesday after a Sherdog.com report stated Irvin had tested positive for steroids following a fight against Jorge Oliveira at Tachi Palace Fights last December.

Shark Fights president Brent Medley also alluded to a training injury suffered by Alexander that forced the promotion’s hand to completely yank the fight from the card.

“Due to Irvin’s “alleged” steroid allegations and an undisclosed injury that Houston Alexander suffered during training, we were forced to pull the bout from the Shark Fights 14 line-up,” Medley said in a statement.

“We plan to reschedule the long awaited Alexander vs. Irvin re-match in the near future and are currently wrapping up negotiations for another very compelling Shark Fights 14 co-main event. Details will be announced soon, so stay tuned!”

From the sound of things, Shark Fights will still plan on putting the fight together, but if Irvin’s test does indeed come back positive, he may be facing a lengthy suspension. Irvin has already tested positive once for a banned substance during his time with the UFC.

In 2008, Irvin tested positive for Methadone and Oxymorphone by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and was subsequently suspended for nine months for the infraction.

The California State Athletic Commission has not confirmed Irvin’s positive test yet, but word could come at any time concerning his status.