Rousimar Palhares and Joey Beltran suspended nine months following positive drug tests

Matt Roberts

Two failed drug tests have led to the suspensions of middleweight Rousimar Palhares and light-heavyweight Joey Beltran. They both competed at the UFC on FX 6 card in Australia.

Two names have popped up in the "positive drug test" category, and both came from the recent UFC on FX 6 card in Brisbane, Australia. Brazilian middleweight and heel-hook specialist Rousimar Palhares and light-heavyweight Joey Beltran failed their drug tests, and have subsequently been suspended. Jason Floyd of The MMA Report has the story:

In a statement released by the UFC on Thursday, Palhares tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone and Beltran test positive for nandrolone.

And here's the official statement (from the same article):

"Rousimar Palhares tested positive for elevated testosterone and Joey Beltran tested positive for nandrolone, following their respective bouts at UFC on FX 6 in Australia. The UFC organization has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance-enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents. Both athletes have agreed to serve a nine-month suspension retroactive to December 14. They must pass a drug test upon completion of the suspension before receiving clearance to compete again."

Palhares lost his 2nd fight in a row, as Hector Lombard knocked him out in the first-round in what was a dominant display of striking from Lombard. Because Palhares lost, his fight result will not be overturned.

Beltran pulled off an upset win over Croatia's Igor Pokrajac, giving him his first UFC win at light-heavyweight. That win is likely to be overturned to a no-contest. If that is indeed the case then he'll be without a UFC win in his last 4 fights.

For the record, this is the 3rd consecutive "overseas card" with at least one failed drug test. I note the importance of non-North American cards because the UFC does their own drug testing program for these shows. UFC 153 in Brazil saw Stephan Bonnar and Dave Herman fail their tests. Thiago Silva tested positive for marijuana metabolites in Macau (UFC on FUEL 6), and now Beltran and Palhares have been caught in Australia.

SBN coverage of UFC on FX 6