NAC hands Lombard 1-year suspension for failed drug test

The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) handed Hector Lombard a one-year suspension Monday as punishment for testing positive for the steroid desoxymethyltestosterone. The failed test followed Lombard's bout against Josh Burkman at UFC 183 on Jan. 3.

To go along with the suspension, which is retroactive to the date of the fight, Lombard was fined his entire win bonus of $53,000, and his victory over Burkman was overturned to a no-contest.

An apologetic Lombard, who represented Cuba in judo at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, claimed to have received some pills from fellow Olympian Julie Northrup, a member of Canada's 2002 bobsled team.  

According to Lombard, Northrup claimed the pills were "made from plants."

"I let down the UFC, (President) Dana White, (owner) Lorenzo (Fertitta), the fans, my sponsors and countless others," Lombard said during the hearing, according to MMAjunkie.com. "I also owe an apology to my opponent, Josh Burkman. I trust those around me and within my inner circle to provide me with the proper guidance and information to allow me to perform at my best. I know I'm ultimately responsible for what I put in my body.

"I relied on people I trusted to provide me with the correct information. I take full responsibility for not getting all information on this product. I am truly embarrassed and sorry for my actions. This will never happen again. As a fighter, I do not have many fights left in my career. I hope I can use this time to provide younger fighters with information on who they can trust."