Middleweight fighter Chris Leben has been suspended for one year after testing positive for painkillers Oxycodone and Oxymorphone following his Nov. 5 loss to Mark Munoz in UFC 138 in Birmingham, England, UFC officials announced Monday.
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“I like Chris and I want him to do well, but based on his actions, he’s been suspended for one year,” UFC President Dana White said in a prepared statement. “If he needs professional help, we are going to be there for him. We want to see him succeed not only in the Octagon, but in his personal life.”
Yes, this does not surprise me at all. I figured if he was caught once, how long before he was caught again. I have no basis for why I thought he was on again, but I did. Oh well, he has been given many opportunities and he just hurt his career.
Given the issues of pro wrestlers getting hooked on painkillers, this makes me wonder if this kind of problem is going to be more widespread as time goes on.
I could see giving him a hefty fine, but a suspension seems a little harsh especially from a company with heavy ties to the industries that supply supplements.
[QUOTE=Bneterasedmynam;2638280]I could see giving him a hefty fine, but a suspension seems a little harsh especially from a company with heavy ties to the industries that supply supplements.[/QUOTE]
It wasn’t a “supplement” that got him in trouble. It was a narcotic.
He tested positive for a steroid three years ago, and now a painkiller. He’s lucky he didn’t get shitcanned for good.
So, loses the fight then gets suspended! That sux! But what can you do? He knows the rules, and when you’ve been caught once you should understand that you are under the gun and need to be extra careful about what you are taking. So he has no excuses, not that he is giving any.
But I would be surprised if we see much more out of him.
I’m speculating here, but it seems likely that cases of abuse would increase as the types of injuries sustained in MMA (requiring long-term doctor supervision vs. rest and “keeping it on ice”), would introduce prescription pain meds to fighters as apart of legit pain management.
Like pro-wrestlers abusing themselves with acrobatics ever week or couple of weeks, or NFL players.
I’d say pro boxer too, but (correct me if I’m wrong) they really don’t fight with the same frequency as the MMA folks do they? Then again, they’re not subjected to the same type of abuse as MMA people either.
Anyway, I think that cases of abuse may increase as legit pain management can easily turn into self medication through pill mills, and black market internet sales.