Report: Lawler didn't fail pre-UFC 189 drug test, despite allegations

Rory MacDonald may have been a little premature with his allegations.

After claiming Robbie Lawler might have failed a drug test prior to fighting - and beating - him at UFC 189 in July 2015, the pre-fight test results from the bout could take the wind out of MacDonald's sails.

According to a report by Bloody Elbow's Iain Kidd, MacDonald may have been referring to a test conducted by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) shortly before he fought Lawler.

In the test taken June 5, 2015, Lawler showed high levels of the Luteinizing Hormone (LH), which can be affected by the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). The result, 64.2 mlU/mL, was over three times the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) limit of 20.0 mlU/mL.

The unusually high LH levels in Lawler's system prompted further testing, which was to be conducted without notice, as per the WADA protocol. The follow-up test taken on June 17 showed Lawler's LH levels to be at 12.9 mlU/mL, easily within the normal range. No other evidence of PEDs was found.

Since the second test came back negative, Lawler's previous results were considered "atypical," meaning he didn't actually fail the first test. June 5 test aside, each of his pre-fight and fight-night tests have yielded normal LH levels.