Irvin, Levens Test Positive for Painkillers

Jul 29, 2008 6:09 PM John Chandler

James Irvin. Photo property of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission announced today that James Irvin has tested positive for banned painkillers following his devastating knockout loss to reigning UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva at the UFC’s recent July 19th event in Las Vegas.

Irvin reportedly had two different kind of drugs in his system - Oxymorphone, a powerful opiate which is primarily used to alleviate severe pain and Methadone, which is alternatively used to treat recovering drug addicts. Irvin has been temporarily suspended by the commission pending a disciplinary hearing in the coming weeks. An official length of the suspension and fine is expected to be handed out following the meeting.

The loss to Silva snapped a two-fight winning streak for Irvin, who had quickly shot up the ranks of the UFC’s light heavyweight division following a quick stoppage of upstart Houston Alexander at UFC Fight Night 13 in April. Irvin took the bout against Silva on short notice despite recovering from a broken foot that forced him to withdraw from a scheduled bout against Rashad Evans in May. The injury could possibly answer the question as to why the drugs were in his system.

Meanwhile, the California State Athletic Commission also announced today that Justin Levens has tested positive for Oxymorphone as well following his planned participation at Affliction Entertainment’s “Banned event” on July 19th in Anaheim. He has been suspended for six months and fined $1,000.

Levens was slated to take on Ray Lazama at the popular clothing company’s debut show two weeks ago but the bout was scrapped at the last-minute due to time constraints. However both fighters were reportedly paid their full purses including half of the bonuses they would have been paid for winning.

General • Athletic Commissions • CSAC • NSAC • James Irvin • Justin Levens • UFC • Light Heavyweight

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Comments:

1. craig o
Jul 30, 2008 1:25 AM

damn ... give’s new meanning to his nickname, sandman. also would explain his lack luster, not even sure u can call it a performance, performance.

2. AdaMBomB
Jul 30, 2008 9:10 AM

LMFAO Whats the deal with these guys getting caught all the time for stupid shit.. That oxy shit is heroin based!! Fighters need to stay away from that shit anyway. You would think it wouldnt be that hard to get a prescription to something anyway being a fighter.

3. craig o
Jul 30, 2008 4:11 PM

when your popular peole love to give u stuff that f’s up your life…. all sort of drugs n booze n ho’s… oh it’s all free when your semi to full on famous.

4. David M Singer
from NY
Jul 30, 2008 4:16 PM

Our next site will have to be HosForTheUnfamous.com

5. craig o
Jul 30, 2008 7:12 PM

hosforthe"unfamous”.com lol… good one.

6. mikemick
Jul 30, 2008 8:15 PM

I’m surprised that he had the foresight to take pain killers. It was like he already knew the Silva fight outcome.

7. FedEx Pope
from Corporate/Papal HQ
Jul 30, 2008 11:05 PM

Before we are so hurried to attack Irvin and Levens, my children, remember the words of Our Lord…

“Judge not the shamed Warrior, whosoever shall practice self-medication, for he is the Wise Man. Instead of hiding his head, such as the sheep do, he takes up arms against The Enemy whilst he indulges in the fruits of Our Fathers wonders.”

And anyone resourceful enough to find some oxymorphone and with the belief that they have a need for it, must also believe (accurately) they’ll be in for a world of pain! These drugs are hardly performance enhancing, despite their pain blocking ability. If anything, I would think them more a distraction.

Go in peace!