Jamahal Hill, Tim Elliott and Luis Pena receive reduced suspensions for marijuana positives

Luis Pena | Esther Lin, MMA Fighting The Nevada Athletic Commission on Monday issued reduced suspensions to a trio of UFC fighters who tested positive for marijuana in connection with recent fights.
Light heavyweight Jamahal Hill received a six-month suspension, while flyweight Tim Elliott and lightweight Luis Pena each got four-and-a-half month terms for positive pre-fight tests.
The fighters were fined a portion of their purses – amounting to 15 percent of their show purse. They were also asked to pay court costs in addition to providing clean drug tests at specific intervals and pay the fines – or reach a payment arrangement – prior to applying for another fight license in Nevada.
The commission reached agreements with the fighters for a reduced punishment prior to a meeting today in Las Vegas and voted unanimously to approve them. They each faced a minimum nine-month suspension and maximum of two years as first-time drug offenders and fines ranging from 15 to 30 percent of their purse. This past month, the commission extended temporary suspensions issued after their initial positive tests.
Here are the details of each fighter’s suspensions:

• Jamahal Hill: tested positive for marijuana in connection with UFC on ESPN 9 fight against Klidson Abreu. Six-month suspension, which expires Nov. 20, 15 percent fine of “show” purse (MMA Fighting was unable to verify Hill’s purse), and $218.04 in court fees.
• Tim Elliott: tested positive for marijuana in connection with UFC on ESPN 9 fight against Brandon Royval. Four-and-a-half month suspension, which expires Oct. 14, 15 percent fine of “show” purse, or $4,650, and $218.04 in court fees.
• Luis Pena: tested positive for marijuana in connection with UFC on ESPN 12 fight against Khama Worthy. Four-and-a-half month suspension, which expires Nov. 10, 15 percent fine of “show” purse, or $4050, and $218.04 in court fees.

The attorney representing the NSAC said Elliott and Pena immediately admitted to using marijuana, which is not banned out-of-competition, and attributed their positive tests to short-notice fights and residual drugs in their systems. The fighters also said they stopped using marijuana as soon as they received notice of their bookings. Those factors prompted the commission to cut a deal for reduced suspensions.
Elliott immediately admitted to using marijuana after word of his positive tests emerged.


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