Jessica Eye's UFC 166 win overturned due to drug test, can fight despite probationary suspension
A failed drug test is to blame for Jessica Eye’s split decision win over Sarah Kaufman at UFC 166 in Houston being changed to a no-decision, according to representatives from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Although officials would not say what substance Eye tested positive for, an administrative order from Jan. 22 states that Eye “tested positive for a prohibited drug,†and was fined $1,875 and placed on a “one year fully probated suspension.â€
As a result, Eye’s win over Kaufman – originally a split-decision victory after a closely contested fight on Oct. 19– has been changed to a no-decision.
TLDR public information officer Susan Stanford told MMAjunkie that means Eye is effectively “on probation as long as she complies†with the administrative order, and can still fight in the interim. MMAjunkie filed an open records request to receive a copy of that order, but has yet to receive a response.
As Eye (10-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) today told MMAjunkie’s Mike Bohn, however, she intends to dispute the findings, insisting she is “not suspended at all†and will still fight Alexis Davis (15-5 MMA, 2-0 UFC) at UFC 170 on Feb. 22. The fighters are slated for the featured preliminary-card bout on FOX Sports 1, which precedes the night’s pay-per-view main card.
UFC officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Kaufman responded to the news by telling MMAjunkie that having the loss overturned is “bittersweet.â€
“It’s not a loss but also not a win,†Kaufman wrote in a text message. “I hate to see our sport marred by athletes who can’t seem to control what substances they put in their bodies. It’s disrespectful to their opponents and employers.â€
Kaufman added that she’ll be looking to fight as many times as possible in 2014, and “will be pushing hard for that title fight. That is all I know.â€
