Although he has not competed since 2019, UFC lightweight/welterweight Erik Koch is in the news. For the wrong reasons.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced that Koch had accepted an 18-month sanction following a positive out-of-competition drug test in October 2020. Koch tested positive for 3′-hydroxy-stanozolol, a metabolite of anabolic agent stanozolol — banned at all times under the UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy.
Per a USADA press release, “Koch received a six-month reduction to the default two-year sanction based on his Full and Complete Cooperation (FCC) based on the unique circumstances of his case. Under the UFC ADP, USADA may grant an FCC reduction in the event an athlete demonstrates that they did not intend to enhance their performance and provided full, prompt, and truthful responses and information to all reasonable inquiries and requests for information.”
The agency did not specify exactly how Koch’s circumstances were unique. The 32-year old last competed at UFC 240 in Edmonton, Alberta, picking up a unanimous decision win over Kyle Stewart. The fight, Koch’s welterweight debut, snapped a two-fight skid. Koch previously competed for the WEC, then moved over to the UFC when that organization was absorbed by the promotion. He has, however, competed only sporadically over the past decade.
Koch’s suspension is backdated to October 3, 2020, the date of his positive test.
