Put on your shocked face, the news isn’t good for Michinori Tanaka. It appears the young lad tested positive for some banned substances following his UFC Fight Night loss back in September. Turns out ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are frowned upon and even worse, banned! The UFC issued a statement earlier today. Here is an excerpt:
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.
Not only will he be out 9 months but he had to give up his FOTN bonus. At least it’s not steroids right? You can read the entire statement here.