Two more UFC fighters fail drug tests; one cut and the other suspended

TORONTO - The UFC has cut Japanese middleweight Riki Fukada and suspended American bantamweight Alex (Bruce Leroy) Caceres in the wake of failed drug tests from a show in Japan earlier this month.

The UFC said Fukada, who lost to a unanimous decision to Brad Tavares at the March 3 show in Saitama, tested positive for phenylpropanolamine, norpseudoephedrine and ephedrine, which are stimulants and banned substances.

Caceres tested positive for marijuana metabolites.

The UFC said he had been suspended for six months, would attend drug rehabilitation classes and will have to pass a drug test after his ban to receive clearance to compete again.

"I accept full responsibility for my actions and the consequences from those actions," the fighter said in a statement. "I apologize to all that I have disappointed, including the UFC, my family, coaches, training partners and fans. I accept the sanctions from the UFC and I look forward to completing the necessary steps to getting back in the Octagon following the suspension and assuring that this never happens again."

Caceres' split-decision win over Kyung Ho Kang has also been changed to a no contest.

"The UFC organization has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance-enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents," the UFC said in a statement Wednesday. "All 22 fighters on the UFC on FUEL TV 8 card were drug tested at the event and all fighters passed their drug tests with the exception of Alex Caceres and Riki Fukada."

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