LAS VEGAS – UFC lightweight [autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag] and Dana White’s Contender Series competitor [autotag]Jose Flores[/autotag] each were issued four-and-a-half month suspensions in relation to marijuana use.
The Nevada Athletic Commission handed out the orders during Wednesday’s monthly meeting, which was held via teleconference due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Croom (22-12 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made his promotional debut at UFC on ESPN+ 35 on Sept. 12, stepping in on just one day’s notice before needing just 31 seconds to score a submission win over Roosevelt Roberts. “The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly” also earned a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus.
However, a pre-fight drug screen identified the presence of marijuana, and Croom subsequently agreed to a proposed adjudication agreement approved Wednesday that includes the suspension, which expires on Jan. 26, 2021, as well as a reduced fine of $1,800 fine and prosecution fees totaling $145.36.
Flores (9-2) kicked off the current fourth season of Dana White’s Contender Series at DWCS 27 on Aug. 4. He was submitted in the opening round by Jordan Leavitt, who was awarded a UFC deal.
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After also testing positive for marijuana, Flores agreed to a suspension that expires on Dec. 4, as well as a reduced fine of $750 and prosecution fees totaling $145.36.
In a non-marijuana related decision, heavyweight [autotag]Chad Johnson[/autotag] was issued a nine-month suspension for testing positive for a banned amphetamine.
Johnson (6-2) appeared at Dana White’s Contender Series 29 on Aug. 18, suffering a first-round knockout loss to Josh Parisian, who was awarded a UFC contract with the result.
Johnson’s suspension expires May 18, 2021. He was also fined $750 and must pay prosecution fees totaling $145.36 per Wednesday’s adjudication agreement.
All suspended athletes must also pass drug screens 30 days, 15 days and three days before their next contest in order to regain licensure in Nevada.
Additionally, UFC welterweight [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag] saw his temporary suspension extended after testing positive for carboxy THC, a prohibited cannabinoid, in relation to his Sept. 19 bout at UFC on ESPN+ 36. The commission expects to resolve the issue in December.
Price (14-4-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) fought Donald Cerrone at the event. “The Hybrid” was deducted a point for multiple eye pokes in the opening round of the contest, which ended up being declared a majority draw.
Lastly, [autotag]Joe Pyfer[/autotag], who tested positive for a modulator metabolites in August, was granted a continuance to a later date.
Pyfer (7-2) competed in the featured contest of DWCS 28 on Aug. 11. He was forced to settle for a TKO loss after suffering an arm injury from being slammed to the canvas by Dustin Stoltzfus, who took home a UFC contract with the win.
