Several UFC fighters are facing suspensions and fines in Nevada.
Tim Elliott, a popular flyweight fighter and former title challenger, and undefeated light heavyweight prospect Jamahal Hill both tested positive for marijuana in in-competition drug tests in relation to their respective fights May 30 in Las Vegas, sources told ESPN.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission currently has Elliott and Hill under temporary suspension. Both suspensions are scheduled to be extended Wednesday at the NSAC meeting until a future disciplinary hearing can be held. A typical NSAC suspension for a positive marijuana test recently has been nine months.
There are two other UFC fighters on the NSAC agenda for temporary suspension extensions: Luis Pena and Marc-Andre Barriault. NSAC chief assistant Jeff Mullen would not comment on the reason for those suspensions, saying the causes will become public once the meeting begins Wednesday.
It is unclear whether the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the UFC’s anti-doping partner, will take disciplinary action against Elliott and Hill. USADA does not have Elliott under a provisional suspension; he fought just last month in Abu Dhabi. Hill has not fought since May. Both men fought on the UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Burns card May 30, coming in on short notice.
Under NSAC and USADA regulations, cannabis is prohibited in-competition over a threshold of 150ng/ml. USADA does not typically hand out lengthy suspensions for marijuana.
Elliott (16-11-1) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Ryan Benoit on July 16. The Kansas native won a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus for the May 30 bout with Brandon Royval, which Royval won by second-round submission. Elliott, 33, fought for the UFC flyweight title in 2016, falling to then-champion Demetrious Johnson.
Hill (7-0) is 2-0 in the UFC and thought to be a blue-chipper at 205 pounds. The 6-foot-4, 29-year-old Michigan resident beat Klidson Abreu by first-round TKO on May 30, which was the UFC’s return to Las Vegas for the first time since the coronavirus shutdown.