Two Contender Series veterans, Darion Abbey and Levi Rodrigues, have been suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission for testing positive for banned substances, with Abbey receiving a nine-month suspension and Rodrigues awaiting a resolution.
Two Contender Series vets are in hot water with the Nevada Athletic Commission. They’ve been suspended after testing positive for banned substances.
Darion Abbey got a nine-month suspension for clomiphene. This substance is a big no-no for athletes, banned at all times. Abbey accepted his fate, and his suspension runs until May 25, 2026. He also got slapped with a $750 fine and $157.04 in prosecution fees. Ouch.
Abbey’s last fight on the Contender Series? A first-round knockout loss to Donte Johnson, who snagged a UFC contract. Now, Abbey’s career is on hold until after May 2026.
On the flip side, Levi Rodrigues, an undefeated prospect, is also in a bind. He was suspended on November 26 after testing positive for 19-Norandrosterone, a metabolite of nandrolone. Not great news.
Rodrigues is waiting for a formal resolution. His team released a statement, explaining the situation. They mentioned that Rodrigues used nandrolone between May and July 2024, during a tough recovery from multiple injuries.
Apparently, Levi was bedridden for six months due to a severe herniated disc. He was out of action for 23 months, from May 2023 to April 2025. During this time, he wasn’t even under contract or planning fights.
Back then, Levi was just 3–0 as a pro fighter and working construction to support his family. The nandrolone was purely for recovery, not to gain an edge in the ring.
After bouncing back, he returned to fighting in 2025, winning in April and September. He got a last-minute chance to fight on the Contender Series in October 2025. He didn’t think he needed to disclose the past use since it was over a year ago.
Unfortunately, nandrolone can linger in the system for up to 18 months. Bad luck, right?
Rodrigues has no history of anti-doping violations. He respects the NSAC process and will comply with their ruling. But his future with potential suspensions and fines? Still up in the air. For now, he’s suspended, even though he was signed to the UFC post-win.