Cung Le Tests Positive for HGH, Suspended 9 months

Remember when that picture of a ripped Cung Le surfaced and the talks of steroid use began to swirl heading into his UFC Fight Night 48 bout with Michael Bisping? It turns out those suspicions were correct.

On Tuesday, the UFC revealed the former Strikeforce middleweight champion has tested positive for excess levels of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) in a post-fight drug test following his fourth-round TKO loss to Bisping.

Since the UFC acted as its own commission for the card, they have suspended Le for nine months. In addition, Le will need to pass a drug test if he decides to make his return to competition.

For some fans, this positive test may come as a shock since the international star vehemently denied using any type of performance enhancing drugs in the weeks leading up to his bout in Macao. Bisping, on the other hand, repeatedly expressed concerns about his opponent abnormally muscular physique.

The official UFC statement reads as followed:

UFC middleweight Cung Le tested positive for an excess level of Human Growth Hormone in his system following his fight at UFC Fight Night in Macao, China on August 23. Due to his positive test result, Le was suspended by the UFC and notified that he violated the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC. The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance-enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by our athletes. Le will serve a nine-month suspension and, at its conclusion, will need to pass a drug test before competing in the UFC again.