Report: Tyson Griffin tested positive for marijuana at UFC 123, went unannounced by commission and UFC

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

With all the conversation about Nick Diaz's failed UFC 143 drug test for marijuana metabolites in the last month, the debate about marijuana use has been brought to the forefront. Diaz isn't the only UFC fighter to have failed a test for marijuana, simply the highest profile case, but there's one that slipped completely under the radar in the last two years when it was never publicly announced or acknowledged by the UFC.

Brent Brookhouse at BloodyElbow.com has uncovered a positive drug test for Tyson Griffin from back at UFC 123 in Detroit. This event took place in Auburn Hills, Michigan, in November of 2010, and the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission had their fair share of issues with the event, but one that wasn't made apparent was this positive test.

The Commission handed Griffin a 100 day suspension, but never publicly released the test result, and it was never publicly acknowledged by the UFC the way others have been. Ultimately, Brookhouse procured a copy of the disciplinary report, which revealed a failed test for "cannabinoids." Further, he received a terse response from Griffin's camp in response to the story, and the whole situation leaves many questions unanswered, the most damning of which is: how many other failed drug tests have gone under the radar?

The UFC didn't release Griffin after this positive test, and in fact Griffin has fought twice in the Octagon since the event. This test result is in the database for other commissions, so if Griffin fails a second time anywhere else he'll be facing a very stiff punishment, to which no one would have had context for had this not come to light.

The UFC has publicly revealed test failures for events in which they've conducted the testing, most notably Chris Leben popping twice in the UK. Considering UFC President Dana White calls the UFC the "most regulated sport" in the world, this type of omission brings up brings up questions about whether or not other test results have been swept under the rug and not revealed.

Penick's Analysis: With the recent commentary regarding testosterone replacement therapy and therapeutic exemptions, this just adds an air of shadiness to the proceedings. And none of this is to smear Griffin's name or try to place anything on him; he served his 100 day suspension and knows that he'll face a more severe punishment for a second test. But it does very much bring into question whether or not other commissions have let these types of test results go under the radar, and whether or not the UFC has been less than transparent on drug test results at times. Those are legitimate questions, and even if this were an isolated incident, it doesn't reflect well on the parties involved.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_12743.shtml

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