The UFC on Wednesday confirmed Matthew Riddle's release from the promotion following a second positive drug test and announced that his win over Che Mills has been overturned to a no contest.
As first reported Tuesday by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) Riddle (8-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) tested positive for marijuana metabolites following his win over Mills (15-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) at UFC on FUEL TV 7 in London earlier this month. The fighter confirmed his release to MMAjunkie.com, and the UFC on Wednesday issued a statement on the matter.
"Matthew Riddle tested positive for marijuana metabolites following his bout at UFC on FUEL TV 7 in London, England on February 16, 2013," the UFC's statement reads. "This is Riddle’s second failed drug test for marijuana within the past seven months. Riddle previously failed a post-fight drug test due to marijuana following his UFC 149 victory over Chris Clements.
"As such, the UFC organization is exercising its right to terminate Riddle for breach of his obligations under his Promotional Agreement as well as the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy. The UFC organization has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance-enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents. The outcome of the bout against Che Mills was changed to a no contest and the results of the positive test will be reported to the official Association of Boxing Commissions MMA record-keeper."
UFC on FUEL TV 7 took place Feb. 16 at Wembley Arena in London with a main card on FUEL TV following prelims on Facebook. The Riddle-Mills fight opened up the main card.
Though Riddle picked up a split decision win, it was a controversial nod in that many believed he had cruised to a unanimous decision victory, including UFC President Dana White.
Mills was later cut by the UFC this past week, one of 16 fighters released by the promotion following UFC on FUEL TV 7. Although his loss to Riddle now will be a no contest on his official record, UFC officials told MMAjunkie.com that as of Wednesday, the fighter remains released by the promotion.
Riddle is a licensed medical marijuana user in Nevada and has been unapologetic about his use of the drug. He said following his first positive test at UFC 149 this past summer that he would stop using prior to a fight in order to avoid testing positive. But if that was the case for UFC on FUEL TV 7, it appears he didn't stop soon enough.
After appearing on Season 7 of "The Ultimate Fighter," Riddle won five of his first six bouts in the UFC, including a stoppage of DaMarques Johnson. After back-to-back decision losses to Sean Pierson and Lance Benoist, Riddle had been on a tear with four straight wins – but two now with an asterisk that were overturned.
He beat Henry Martinez by split decision at UFC 143, then got a split call against Chris Clements at UFC 149 that was overturned after his first positive test. He was suspended for 90 days, retroactive to the July fight. Then he beat John Maguire at UFC 154 before his win over Mills, making him now 2-0 with two no contests in his past four fights.
Source: MMAJunkie.com
