Yahoo Sports Dana White Says Wednesday's Press Conference Will ‘Address A Lot of Different Issues'
Last week, it was announced that UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and President Dana White would hold a press conference on Feb. 18 in Las Vegas to address a recent string of positive drug tests.
Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones tested positive for cocaine during an out-of-competition drug test leading up to his UFC 182 successful title defense against Daniel Cormier. Former middleweight champion Anderson Silva tested positive for two steroids on a Jan. 9 out-of-competition test leading up to his UFC 183 main event bout against Nick Diaz. Diaz failed pre and post-fight tests for marijuana. Welterweight contender Hector Lombard returned a positive test result for a designer steroid following his UFC 182 win over Josh Burkman.
The press conference is scheduled the day after Silva, Diaz and Lombard appear before the Nevada State Athletic Commission to face disciplinary action for the failed tests. All three are expected to fined and suspended while Silva and Lombard could have their wins overturned. Jones was fined by the UFC for violating its Code of Conduct policies, but didn’t face disciplinary action from the commission because cocaine isn’t banned in out-of-competition tests.
Following Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 60: Henderson vs. Thatch event in Broomfield, Colo., White told Fox Sports Live what we can expect from Wednesday's special press conference.
“The hearing is going to be on Tuesday with Diaz, Anderson Silva and Hector Lombard. I think it’s just going to be procedural. I think it will be quick, in and out. I don’t think it’s going to be the big hearing that everybody’s expecting,” said the UFC president.
“Lorenzo and I are going to have a press conference on Wednesday addressing a lot of different issues.”
Women’s bantamweight Ashlee Evans-Smith also faces disciplinary action at the Feb. 17 NSAC meeting for failing her UFC 181 post-fight drug test for diuretics.
Wednesday’s press conference takes place at Red Rock Casino Resort at 1 p.m. ET and will stream live on UFC.com.
