Machida admits use of banned substance, UFC on FOX 19 fight with Henderson scrapped (original) (raw)
A rematch between Lyoto Machida (22-7 MMA, 14-7 UFC) and Dan Henderson (31-14 MMA, 8-8 UFC) has been called off, as “The Dragon” has admitted taking a banned substance, and UFC officials have elected to pull him from the UFC on FOX 19 contest.
UFC officials today announced their decision.
“The UFC organization was made aware today by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, that Lyoto Machida declared the usage of a banned substance during an out-of-competition sample collection last week,” the statement read. “Machida stated that he was unaware that the substance was prohibited both in and out of competition and, in accordance with the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, his disclosure of usage will be taken into consideration by USADA during any potential results management and adjudication process.”
According to UFC officials, Henderson will be re-booked for another event at a later date.
A person familiar with the proceedings told MMAjunkie that while the result of the test that was being collected at the time of Machida’s admission has not yet been received, the promotion elected to scratch the bout now based on the former champ’s disclosure.
A featherweight bout between Hacran Dias (23-3-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC) and Cub Swanson (21-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC), originally intended for the evening’s FOX-televised prelims, has been elevated to the main card to fill the missing slot.
Machida’s camp wasn’t immediately available for comment when contacted by MMAjunkie.
However, Henderson immediately took to Twitter to express his frustration.
Featuring a light heavyweight headliner between Glover Teixeira and Rashad Evans, UFC on FOX 19 takes place this Saturday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. Both main card and preliminary bouts will air on FOX following additional prelims that stream on UFC Fight Pass.
For more on UFC on FOX 19, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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