Getting the opportunity to face the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter might not have been worth it to
James Irvin (Pictures) in the end.
After getting squashed by
Anderson Silva (Pictures) in a minute and one second during their July 19 UFC light heavyweight tilt on Spike TV, the Sacramento native has allegedly tested positive for the non-approved analgesic painkillers Methadone and Oxymorphone according to a post-fight urinalysis conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Irvin (14-5) has been temporarily suspended pending a disciplinary hearing with the NSAC. The regulatory body could vote to revoke his licensure for a yet-to-be determined length of time and/or fine Irvin for the alleged infractions. A date for the hearing has not been set.
Irvin’s manager, Mike Roberts, told Sherdog.com Tuesday afternoon that he had not been aware of the allegations and had not been in contact with his client about them yet. Irvin could not be immediately reached for comment.
Irvin, 29, took the Silva bout on the heels of recovery from a broken foot, after the UFC had swiftly organized the July 19 event to counter-program a pay-per-view hosted by the rival Affliction promotion on the same night.
Irvin had sustained the injury last May in preparation for a proposed co-event matchup against “The Ultimate Fighter 2” winner
Rashad Evans (Pictures) at UFC 85 “Bedlam,” which was held on June 7 in London.
A former star on the central California’s WEC circuit prior to the promotion’s purchase by Zuffa LLC. in 2006, the heavy-handed Irvin had posted back-to-back wins over
Luis Arthur Cane (Pictures) and
Houston Alexander (Pictures) before his one-sided loss to UFC middleweight champion Silva.
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