MMA star Gracie tests positive for steroids
40-year-old fighter suspended through May 2008 in California

Bob Riha / AP file Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter Royce Gracie tested positive for steroids.
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Mixed martial arts legend Royce Gracie tested positive for steroids, the California State Athletic Commission said Thursday.

Gracie, 40, last fought on June 2 on a fight card held at the Los Angeles Coliseum. He won by decision against Japan’s Kazushi Sakuraba.

Tests revealed traces of nandrolone metabolite in two samples, the commission reported.



The Brazilian jujitsu master is suspended for the remainder of his license that ends May 30, 2008. Gracie has been fined $2,500, the most that can be levied by the commission.

It was the third successive day that the commission released information that a professional fighter had tested positive for steroids. Boxers James Toney and Dan Batchelder, who fought in May, were discovered to have two forms of steroids in their samples. MMA fighters Johnny Morton, a former NFL receiver, and Tim Persey tested positive for steroids this week.

“We want everyone to know that we are testing for steroids and drugs,” said Armando Garcia, CSAC executive director. “What the heck is going on?”