Top 5 high-profile drug scandals in UFC history

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 07:  Mixed martial artist Jon Jones listens during a news conference at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino to address being pulled from his light heavyweight title fight at UFC 200 against Daniel Cormier due to a potential violation of the UFC's anti-doping policy on July 7, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Jon Jones makes it to the list

#3 Wanderlei Silva

LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 30:  Mixed martial artist Wanderlei Silva arrives at the Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards 2011 at the Palms Casino Resort November 30, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
One of the toughest in the Octagon

The Brazilian middleweight literally made his career off of being an ultra-aggressive bully and a man that could put your lights out immediately. We now know that perhaps a lot of those aggressive qualities came from his substance abuse while in competition.

Once the UFC took the reins on fighting banned substances in and out of competition, fighters just like Silva - who made their careers flying high on what we could say were performances enhanced by banned substances - began to feel the heat.

When coaching The Ultimate Fighter Brazil against another middleweight who’s been in the limelight for banned substance abuse, Chael Sonnen, he flat out refused to undergo random drug testing before their fight. Ultimately, it cost Silva his career in the UFC and a pretty penny.

He was fined by the NSAC $70,000 and was also slapped with a lifetime ban.

Quick Links