Gleison Tibau is going to be out of action until at least 2018 as he serves a two-year suspension for a pair of positive drug tests.
The veteran UFC lightweight is choosing not to appeal the failed tests that were reported last December, so he'll serve a minimum two-year suspension under the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's current policy.
Tibau cited the significant cost of contesting the verdict as a reason for accepting the punishment.
"It won't do any good to spend all this money, to simply reduce the penalty by three to six months," Tibau said, according to MMAjunkie.com. "It's not worth it. The expense is too great to try to appeal this. So I think I'll end it now.
"It's mentally draining, to be in court. I'll just talk to my team and my manager and tell them I don't want to appeal. So that's it - two years - two years without stepping into the cage. It's hard for me. I've always loved to compete, to be active. Maybe it's time for me to reinvent myself, learn new techniques, and come back better, stronger, and more versatile."
The suspension puts a temporary halt to Tibau's run at a company milestone. He holds the UFC record for most appearances at 155 pounds, and his 26 total appearances put him one behind Tito Ortiz for most all time.
Tibau now has to adjust to a fight-free schedule that once revolved around the Octagon.
"I don't know what I'll do in the next two years, but the bills won't stop coming," he added. "If I don't fight, I have no money. Now, I really don't know what to do, or where to go."
