UFC heavyweight Braxton Smith, who made his promotional debut last month, won’t be fighting anytime soon.
Smith (5-2), a.k.a. “The Beautiful Monster,” was finished via ground n’ pound by Parker Porter at UFC 288 in New Jersey. As it turns out, he also failed multiple drug tests both in and out of competition that now have him iced for a two-year period.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, who administer the UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy (ADP), announced the news on Tuesday.
Smith’s failed drug tests, which occurred on April 19, May 4, and May 6, 2023 (the latter coming in-competition on the night of the event) saw him test positive for the exogenous administration of testosterone and/or its precursors.
Per a press release, “Smith’s urine sample was analyzed using a specialized test, known as Carbon Isotope Ratio (CIR) testing, that differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and prohibited anabolic agents of external origin. The CIR test confirmed the presence of testosterone and/or its metabolites of external origin in Smith’s urine sample.”
Because the results of Smith’s earlier tests were not returned by the night of the fight, the violations have been grouped into a single incident. As an incoming fighter making his promotional debut at UFC 288, Smith was afforded the opportunity to declare any usage of substances banned under the UFC ADP over the past twelve months, which would then not have been treated as a violation, but would have required two negative tests and removal from competition for at least six months.
Smith did not make any such declarations. His suspension dates back to May 6, 2023; the case also falls under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission, who will resolve the matter separately.
Prior to joining the UFC, Braxton Smith had won five straight fights, capturing the Peak Fighting heavyweight title. All five of those wins came in a period of less than twelve months from May 2022 to March 2023. Prior to that, Smith had not fought since a 2014 loss against Chase Sherman.
