Jon Fitch Fails Pre-Fight Drug Test, Could Be Suspended

Former UFC welterweight contender Jon Fitch—a previously outspoken critic of performance-enhancing drugs—is the latest high-profile MMA fighter to fail a recent drug test.

The California State Athletic Commission announced the failure on Friday, and Steven Marrocco of MMAJunkie.com first reported the news. Fitch is reportedly facing a suspension, fine or both as a result of the test.

There was no official word on the specific substance that caused the "adverse event," but according to the report, elevated testosterone levels were a factor in the failure.

The test was administered before Fitch's welterweight title fight against champion Rousimar Palhares Dec. 13 at World Series of Fighting 16. Palhares pulled off a kneebar submission win in the first round of the contest.

The news of Fitch's failure came as a surprise to some in the MMA community.

"

Noooo not Fitch....

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 6, 2015"

"

Unfortunate to hear about Jon Fitch failing WSOF 16 drug test. As @mmaencyclopedia said, there are no heroes in MMA.

— Jeremy Botter (@jeremybotter) February 6, 2015"

"

You too, Jon Fitch? OK look, if you're an MMA fighter and you're juicing, tell us now. We won't be mad (yes we will). http://t.co/VHq40llmHq

— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) February 6, 2015"

Fitch has a long history of speaking out on sensitive issues in MMA. At cleaner times in his career, he railed against illegal performance enhancement, calling testosterone replacement therapy "a joke." Last December, he was one of three fighters named as a plaintiff in a class-action suit against the UFC, claiming the organization unfairly suppressed competition.

In 2008, the UFC released Fitch in the immediate wake of comments he made about the rights the company grants to its fighters over their likenesses in video games and other products. The UFC reinstated Fitch soon after the release when he agreed to sign the likeness agreement.

In 2013, the UFC released Fitch again, with the contender subsequently signing with WSOF. He was a frequent target of criticism from UFC brass and fans for a methodical, grinding style that was successful but not always exciting to watch.

The 36-year-old Fitch (26-7-1-1) is 2-2 during his WSOF tenure. His most high-profile fight came in 2008 when he lost a decision to UFC welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre.

He has victories over fighters including Thiago Alves, Ben Saunders, Diego Sanchez and Erick Silva. He also famously fought to a draw with legend B.J. Penn in 2011.