Report: Diego Sanchez Tested Positive for Marijuana in Post UFC Fight Night 7 Drug Test

The Ultimate Fighter season one castmate and undefeated UFC welterweight contender Diego Sanchez tested positive for marijuana after his UFC Fight Night 7 main-event win over Joe Riggs, according to The Orange County Register.

Yes, one of the UFC’s biggest names tested positive for marijuana three months ago, and we’re just now hearing about it.

Sanchez, who ended the fight with a KO via knee to Riggs’ head at 1:45 in the first round, served a three-month suspension and paid a $500 fine for the failed test. He has already served his suspension and is cleared to fight rival Josh Koscheck on the main card of UFC 69 on April 7.

UFC Fight Night 7 took place at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in California on Dec. 13. California State Athletic Commission Executive Officer Armando Garcia confirmed the failed test.

Sanchez, a devout Christian, is believed to lead a very clean and healthy lifestyle, as was evident during his time on The Ultimate Fighter. It’s impossible to speculate about the frequency of his marijuana usage, but considering he didn’t appeal the failed test or punishment, one could logically reason that the results of the test didn’t come as a surprise to him.

Sanchez isn’t the only MMA fighter currently dealing with a failed test for marijuana. Former UFC fighter Nick Diaz, who beat lightweight champion Takanori Gomi in a non-title fight at PRIDE Fighting Championships’s “Pride 33″ event, tested positive after the Feb. 24 event.

Diaz’s failed test sparked widespread discussion about the role of marijuana and whether or not it could be perceived as a performance-enhancing drug. Although the drug is known to dull pain, it does little or nothing to heighten one’s senses or build muscle mass. Still, though, it’s an illegal drug, and fighters do know it’s part of any standard drug test.

I’ll admit that I’m not too up to speed on when or if state commissions have to announce failed tests. I’m hoping Ivan Trembow, an expert in these types of matters, will weigh in soon at MMAWeekly.com or on his personal blog at ivansblog.com. It’s too soon to know if hiding the results was a calculated move on the UFC’s part, but the organization obviously has a lot to lose when one of its marquee fighters — especially one with such a clean image — fails a test for a banned substance.