Michinori Tanaka failed pre-fight drug test at UFN 52

As reported by Japan’s Gong Kakutogi some ten days ago, UFC steps bantamweight Michinori Tanaka failed a pre-fight drug test at UFC Fight Night 52.

The urinalysis showed ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Tanaka lost a split decision to Kyung Ho Kang, so there will be no result overturned, but the fighter is out the $50,000 performance bonus. Tanaka, 24, also faces a nine month suspension.

The test failure was reportedly caused by an over-the-counter allergy medication.

With the loss, Tanaka is now 10-1 overall, and 1-1 in the UFC.

As Japan lacks a government regulatory body, the UFC is forced to self regulate, and secured the services of an independent drug testing lab. All fighters were tested.

The UFC released an official statement on Tuesday.

At UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson on September 20 in Saitama, Japan, UFC contracted with an independent drug testing laboratory to perform testing on all fighters on the card.

UFC bantamweight Michinori Tanaka tested positive for ephedrine and pseudoephedrine based on a pre-fight urine test administered prior to the event. Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are stimulants banned in athletic competition pursuant to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. Based on such results, UFC officials decided that Tanaka had violated his promotional agreement and the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy. Accepting the accuracy of the test result, Tanaka has admitted to taking over-the-counter allergy medication prior to the fight, likely causing the positive result, and acknowledges the illegal substances were in his system. Consequently, Tanaka agreed to a nine-month suspension from unarmed combat competition. He must pass a drug test at the conclusion of his suspension in order to return to competition. Tanaka will also forfeit his Fight of the Night bonus he earned at the event. [Ed. note: Zyrtec just cost this dude $50,000. Ouch.]

The UFC organization has always been a leader when it comes to testing for performance-enhancing drugs in combat sports. All UFC athletes know they are subject to drug testing by an applicable state athletic commission, an international governing federation, or by an independent laboratory contracted by the UFC when no regulatory body is overseeing the event. In those cases where regulatory oversight is unavailable, UFC voluntarily chooses to adhere to the highest level of athlete health and safety protocols similar to if the event were being held in the state of Nevada.