Regardless of Texas Drug Test Sanctions, UFC Says Jessica Eye Will Still Fight at UFC 170
Jessica Eye won a split decision victory over Sarah Kaufman at UFC 166 on Oct. 19 at the Toyota Center in Houston.
It was recently changed to a “no decision,” however, when the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation issued an administrative order fining Eye $1,875 and handing her a probated one-year suspension because she “tested positive for a prohibited substance” stemming from testing for the fight with Kaufman.
The one-year probated suspension started on Jan. 22, 2014, which is the date on the Administrative Order. Because the suspension is probated, that means Eye is not precluded from fighting as long as she complies with the terms of the administrative order.
Eye is currently scheduled to face Alexis Davis in a pivotal women’s bantamweight match-up at UFC 170: Rousey vs. McMann on Feb. 22 in Las Vegas, and the UFC on Wednesday confirmed to MMAWeekly.com that she will be allowed to fight.
“The UFC received word of the fully probated suspension and fine issued to Jessica Eye by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation,” read an official UFC statement. “The UFC intends to honor the probation, which will not force Eye to miss her scheduled bout at UFC 170.”
Eye reportedly failed to list a substance on her licensing paperwork, which tripped the test result indicating that she tested positive for a prohibited substance, but she hasn’t gone into much detail about that part of her case.
@motmaitre I plan to!this all happening quick. I made a mistake not listing ,now I dealing with it.So give me minute gather myself.
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) February 4, 2014
Eye did, however, on Wednesday issued the following statement:
“I was recently alerted to the fact that I was issued a fully probated suspension and fine by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. While I intend to discuss with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation the overturning of my victory at UFC 166, I have accepted the terms of the probation and intend to compete at UFC 170 on Feb. 22. I pride myself on following the rules and representing my family, teammates, sponsors, and fans in the best light possible. I apologize for any distractions this has caused.”
(Photo courtesy of UFC.com)
