Hector Lombard tested positive for desoxymethyltestosterone in his UFC 182 post fight drug test in January and he has been suspended one year by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for the failed drug test.
The suspension was handed down today during the monthly commission meeting.
Nevada Attorney General Christopher Eccles presented the case against Lombard to the commission and stated that the welterweight fighter was not fighting the charges.
Lombard did make a statement during today’s meeting where he apologized to multiple people and said he has not knowingly put a performance enhancing drug in his body.
“I let down the UFC, Lorenzo Fertitta, Dana White, the fans, and countless others,” Lombard said. “I owe an apology to my opponent Josh Burkman. I know that I’m ultimately responsible for what I put into my body. I have never knowingly put a PED in my body. I’m truly embarrassed and sorry for my actions and this will never happen again.”
Commissioner Pat Lundvall questioned Lombard for several minutes about the substance he took. According to his testimony, Lombard came down with the flu prior to coming to Las Vegas for his fight against Josh Burkman. He claimed that he took two “Z-Packs” and he was given the pills by a friend in California.
Once the commissioners went into deliberation, Lundvall stated that she did not believe the testimony of Lombard. While the UFC fighter is not allowed to speak during the deliberations, he asked the commissioners for a second chance and they did not respond.
The commissioners would end up placing a motion for a one year suspension, lost of his win bonus ($53,000), 33% fine of his show purse ($17,490), his win over Burkman being overturned to a no-contest, and he must submit a clean test to come off suspension.
The motion would be unanimously approved by the commissioners and Lombard will be available to come off suspension at the beginning of 2016.