Nevada Athletic Commission have suspended two former Dana White’s Contender Series fighters for positive drug tests.
Darion Abbey has been handed his suspension after testing positive for clomiphene. The substance is banned across multiple combat sports and most infamously is the substance that began the Conor Benn debacle in the world of boxing a few years ago.
Abbey’s suspension is nine months but is backdated so will expire in May 2026. On Dana White’s Contender Series he faced Donte Johnson and suffered a brutal first round TKO loss. Unfortunately, with a record of 7-5 it is highly unlikely for Abbey to ever enter the UFC but this suspension more than likely shuts the door indefinitely for the American heavyweight.
Levi Rodrigues Jr also competed on Dana White’s Contender Series and has received a suspension after a failed drug test. Rodrigues Jr was originally suspended on 26th November after testing positive for 19-Norandrosterone, which is a metabolite of the anabolic steroid nandrolone.
The unbeaten Brazilian light heavyweight won his bout on Contender Series and earned himself a contract back in October after a first round knockout versus Freddy Vidal. However, this suspension and failed test could jeopardise that UFC opportunity. The UFC have dealt with this substance previously in a case with Ricardo Abreu in 2017.
The team of Rodrigues Jr came out claiming the use of the drug was purely for recovery as the Brazilian was suffering severely with debilitating injuries. It is unclear what lies ahead for Rodrigues Jr but his UFC dream could be over before it has even begun.
