UFC 162: Dave Herman must pass drug test for license to fight Gabriel Gonzaga

After successfully serving a suspension and attending drug rehabilitation to once again compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Dave Herman must clear one more hurdle before getting back in the Octagon.

The heavyweight fighter is scheduled to take on Gabriel Gonzaga on the preliminary portion of next Saturday's (July 6, 2013) UFC 162 event; however, before receiving a fight license from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), Herman must pass a random drug test.

NSAC officials ordered Herman to immediately submit a drug test over the phone during a licensure meeting on Friday (June 28, 2013).

Herman was suspended for six months in Nov. 2012 when he tested positive for marijuana metabolites following his submission loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 153.

As part of his punishment, the 28-year-old was ordered to attend drug rehabilitation. Something many fans disagreed with, but UFC officials deemed to be necessary.

Herman stated on the call that he has not used marijuana since the previous incident in 2012; however, since he is a two-time offender (Herman also tested positive in 2011), NSAC officials were not entirely convinced by the fighter's testimony and felt he must take it one step further to prove it.

The commission granted Herman a conditional license based on the fact his drug test results come up clean.

The Indiana native is in need of a victory in a bad way at UFC 162, as he will enter the event on the heels of three-straight losses, all by (technical) knockout or submission.

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