A pair of Contender Sequence veterans have been suspended by the Nevada Athletic Fee after submitted drug exams that got here again optimistic for banned substances.
Darion Abbey was handed a nine-month suspension from the fee on Tuesday after he examined optimistic for clomiphene, a substance banned always for athletes. Consequently, Abbey agreed to the suspension, which expires on Could 25, 2026 and he was fined $750 together with prosecution charges totaling $157.04 together with normal drug testing protocols he should observe if competing in Nevada once more.
In his look on the Contender Sequence, Abbey suffered a first-round knockout loss to Donte Johnson, who was then signed to the UFC.
Now Abbey has to attend till after Could 25, 2026 to renew his profession after the optimistic drug take a look at.
In the meantime, undefeated prospect Levi Rodrigues, who scored a first-round knockout on the Contender Sequence in October, was initially suspended on Nov. 26 after he examined optimistic for 19-Norandrosterone, which is a metabolite of the anabolic steroid nandrolone.
Consequently, Rodrigues stays suspended pending a proper decision or adjudication settlement in his case. Rodrigues’ workforce issued a press release to MMA Preventing’s Guilherme Cruz addressing the allegations and the suspension.
“We’re conscious of the Nevada State Athletic Fee’s resolution relating to Levi Rodrigues following his Dana White’s Contender Sequence bout on October 14, 2025.
Levi Rodrigues examined optimistic for Nandrolone, a substance used between Could and July of 2024, roughly 15 months previous to the DWCS bout. This era occurred throughout a protracted restoration course of from a number of accidents, essentially the most critical being a extreme herniated disc that left him bedridden for six months and unable to carry out even fundamental every day features, together with going to the lavatory unassisted.
Because of these accidents, Levi remained out of competitors for 23 months, from Could 2023 to April 2025. The usage of Nandrolone occurred in the course of this era of inactivity, at a time when he was not underneath contract, had no fights scheduled, and didn’t know if he would be capable of return to skilled MMA.
At the moment, Levi was solely 3–0 as knowledgeable fighter and was working as a guide development laborer. The substance was used strictly for bodily restoration, in order that he might return to work and supply for his spouse and kids. There was no intent to realize any aggressive benefit in sport.
After totally recovering, Levi returned to competitors in 2025, incomes wins in April and September. In mid-September 2025, he acquired a short-notice alternative to compete on Dana White’s Contender Sequence in October 2025. As a result of greater than 12 months had handed since the usage of Nandrolone, Levi didn’t imagine disclosure was required and was unaware that, in some instances, Nandrolone metabolites can stay detectable for as much as 18 months.
Sadly, this seems to be a type of instances.
Levi has no prior historical past of anti-doping violations and has by no means failed a drug take a look at. He respects the NSAC course of, accepts the fee’s ruling, and can totally adjust to all necessities shifting ahead.”
Rodrigues’ destiny so far as a possible suspension and fines remains to be to be decided at a future listening to with the fee. He was signed to the UFC after his win however for now stays suspended till a decision in his case is reached.
