The UFC has suspended middleweight Cung Le for 12 months for failing a drug test following his fight with Michael Bisping at UFC Fight Night 48.
Excess levels of human growth hormone (HGH) were found in Le's system after he lost his fight with Bisping, which took place on Aug. 23th in Macau, according to MMAjunkie. If Le decides to fight for the promotion again, he will need to pass another drug test.
Le currently holds a 9-3 record in MMA, with 2 wins and 2 loses in the UFC. Bisping holds a 25-6 record in MMA, and has won 15 out of his 21 fights in the UFC.
The original suspension, which was issued on Tuesday, was for nine months, but an error resulted in the suspension being extended to a year, MMA Fighting reported.
"After review by UFC Senior Management, an error was discovered regarding the length of Cung Le's suspension due to a failed drug test. While originally stated as nine months, the correct suspension period to be enforced is 12 months," Zuffa, LLC, owner of the UFC, said in a statement.
While 42-year-old Le denied questions about using unnatural methods to stay in shape before the fight, a photo showing him in exceptional condition made many consider otherwise, MMAjunkie reported. Both Le and Bisping were asked by the UFC to go through additional drug tests, which included blood tests.
While Bisping said before the fight that it was a good idea to have the additional testing, Le didn't appear concerned about it, saying hard training and a healthy diet was what got him his physique. Lee added that he was all natural in the photo and that he looked like that because of good timing and training.
"Someone caught it in the perfect lighting," he said. "If I looked like that all the time, I'd be happy ... I have good genetics. People can say whatever they want. If you look at my young pictures, I was shredded."
The UFC said in a statement that it has a strict policy against their fighters' use illegal and performance-enhancing drugs and stimulants while competing in the Octagon, MMAjunkie reported. The company added that Lee "will need to pass a drug test before competing in the UFC again."
