White banned from 'Banned'

MMAWeekly.com on Wednesday learned that Lion's Den original Vernon "Tiger" White has been removed from "Banned," Affliction's inaugural MMA card on July 19 in Anaheim, Calif. White was to face Antonio Rogerio Nogueira on the portion of the card broadcast by Fox Sports Net.

According to Mickey Dubberly, CEO of White's management firm KO Dynasty, White was removed from the card Wednesday when the Nevada State Athletic Commission flagged him for the presence of a diuretic. White competed in a kickboxing contest for Xtreme Fighting Association on May 31 in Las Vegas and was tested for performance enhancers and drugs of abuse.

NSAC executive director Keith Kizer confirmed that White's post-fight test had revealed the presence of Hydrochlorothiazide, the same drug that WEC lightweight Donald Cerrone was suspended for in September of 2007. White has now been placed on the state's temporary suspension list pending review of his case.

The NSAC will hear White's appeal on July 9. If the suspension holds after the hearing, White will be unable to compete for eight to nine months, the standard length of time used for this type of infraction.

"(White) said he didn't realize that it was banned," Kizer said. "Mr. White will get a full opportunity to address these allegations."

California State Athletic Commissioner Armando Garcia told MMAWeekly.com he had received an email notifying him of the positive test, and was aware of the change. He also noted that everything appeared to be moving according to schedule for the event.

Affliction vice president Tom Atencio, contacted en route to M-1 Mix Fight's "Battle on the Neva 2" in St. Petersburg, Russia, said that former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight Edwin Dewees was the front runner in talks to replace White, but nothing was finalized.