UFC Champions Who Were Caught Cheating With Drugs

Doping has always been a sensitive subject in MMA, and the UFC hasn’t been immune to it. Over the years, a few big names have found themselves in trouble after testing positive for banned substances. Some cases were straightforward, others came with explanations and disputes, but all of them left a mark on the fighters involved and how fans viewed them.

That said, in this piece we will take a look at some fighters who were caught. Interestingly, all the fighters listed were champions at some point in their careers. Take a look.

Which UFC fighters were caught using banned substances?

Jon Jones

When it comes to talent, very few come close to Jon Jones, but his career hasn’t been without controversy. He tested positive for banned substances on more than one occasion, including before UFC 200 and again around UFC 214. One of those incidents even led to his win over Daniel Cormier being overturned. It didn’t take away from his ability inside the cage, but it definitely complicated how his legacy is viewed.

BREAKING: Jon “Bones” Jones is off the UFC 200 fight card after potential doping violation. https://t.co/zzFFIRKpl9 pic.twitter.com/dGIQo0bo9i

— ESPN (@espn) July 7, 2016

Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva’s situation caught a lot of people off guard. After returning from a serious injury, he tested positive following his fight with Nick Diaz in 2015. The result was overturned, and he served a suspension. For someone who had built a reputation on skill and dominance, it added an unexpected twist late in his career.

TJ Dillashaw

Dillashaw’s case was more direct than most. After his fight against Henry Cejudo, he tested positive for EPO, a substance linked to improving endurance. He admitted to it, gave up his title, and served a two-year suspension. It was one of those moments where there wasn’t much debate, just consequences.

Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar’s return fight at UFC 200 ended on a high at first, but it didn’t stay that way. He later tested positive for a banned substance, which led to his win being changed to a no contest. Given the scale of the event and his profile, it became a widely discussed case.

Situations like these have played a role in pushing the UFC toward stricter testing and clearer rules. Even now, though, it’s something that continues to come up, showing how difficult it is to completely eliminate the issue from the sport.