Even more UFC 91 preliminary drug tests come back clean from NSAC

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) yesterday confirmed that two additional fighters have passed initial screenings for drugs and illegal substances prior to their clash at UFC 91: "Couture vs. Lesnar" on Saturday, November 15.

Middleweights Demian Maia and Nate Quarry join UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture, Brock Lesnar, Nick Catone, Amir Sadollah, Aaron Riley, Jorge Gurgel, Mark Bocek and Alvin Robinson as competitors who have been tested several weeks out from fight night to eliminate the possibilities of "cycling off" performance enhancers such as steroids.

At this point more than half the fighters on the card (and some no longer even on it anymore i.e. Sadollah and Catone) have already been tested.

This is real good news, considering the spate of tests that have come back dirty in the past 12 months or so. Testing fighters so early before fight night is a proactive and unique measure — often referred to as the new "out of competition" testing policy — that the NSAC has adopted to curtail and prevent the use of banned substances.

If a positive test is returned early, which would essentially devastate a major PPV event such as UFC 91, "the commissioners would decide" on a course of action based on the results, according to NSAC Executive Director, Keith Kizer.

These fighters — along with other random participants slated to compete on the card — will likely be tested again right around showtime. It is merely an extra layer of protection to ensure good clean fights when it comes time to bang.

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UFC 91 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will air on pay-per-view (PPV), beginning at 10 p.m. ET. MMAmania.com will provide LIVE results and coverage of all the action right HERE on Saturday.