Tag: marijuana

Records reveal CM Punk’s UFC 225 loss was changed to a no contest

Posted on by Josh Nason

In a surprise reveal Wednesday, MMA Junkie reported that CM Punk’s UFC 225 loss to Mike Jackson was quietly changed to a no contest due to Jackson testing positive for marijuana.

MMA Junkie obtained the information via a Freedom of Information Act request, followed by a confirmation by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. 

Held on June 9, 2018, Punk’s unanimous decision defeat was on the main card of the Chicago-based PPV headlined by then-middleweight champion Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero II.

Jackson tested positive for “tetrahydrocannabinol due to marijuana” on fight night with the result officially overturned in October 2018. Jackson also got a three month suspension, but it’s unknown whether he was also fined. The state had told fighters via a memo weeks in advance of the event that the state had a strict no tolerance policy for marijuana.

Neither Punk nor Jackson have commented publicly following the news. Neither man has competed in MMA since that night.

Nevada commission to no longer discipline fighters for marijuana use

Posted on by Josh Nason

In a move that could be matched by other state commissions, the Nevada State Athletic Commission voted Wednesday to no longer discipline fighters in any sport for testing positive for marijuana, effective immediately.

They join Florida as the only other state in the U.S. to stop testing for marijuana completely. The new rule doesn’t apply to cases that have yet to be decided.

Ironically, two current UFC fighters (Misha Cirkunov and Gillian Robertson) were disciplined on Wednesday with the former getting a retroactive six month suspension and $4000 fine and the latter earning a retroactive 4.5 month suspension and $2000 fine.

The NSAC will continue to test fighters through the end of 2021 for data purposes and will determine at that point whether to continue.

In January, USADA and the UFC removed discipline for marijuana use, only issuing sanctions if a fighter was visibly under the influence on an event night.

In another bit of irony, Dana White said Wednesday that Nick Diaz, who was once initially suspended for five years in 2015 by the NSAC due to testing positive for marijuana, and Robbie Lawler may fight in the co-main event of their September pay-per-view. Diaz’s suspension was eventually reduced to 18 months.