Updated with video: Karo Parisyan suspended for 9 months by the NSAC

UFC fighter Karo "The Heat" Parisyan, who is best known for his highlight reel judo throws and hot temper has been suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for 9 months after testing positive, following his UFC 94 victory over Dong Hyun Kim. Parysian tested positive for the painkillers hydrocodone, hydromorphone and oxymorphone, all of which are banned substances by the NSAC.



Karo who represented himself at the thirty minute hearing that took place in Las Vegas, Nevada made a personal plea to the commission about how the suspension would impact his professional and personal life "[Fighting] is the only way I have to support my family. If I don't fight, I'm going to be homeless by the end of the year. I'm going to try to get married in August. If I don't fight and I get fined, my entire year -- everything I was supposed to do -- will just go down the toilet. Between my marriage and my house, I'll lose everything if [they] take my money away."

Parisyan also, made the arguement that he didn't do anything wrong because the medications he was taking were all with a doctor's prescription. The NSAC disagreed and fined Parisyan 40 percent of his $80,000 UFC 94 fight purse ($40,000 to show and $40,000 win bonus). He'll also be required to pass a drug test before he's licensed to return to competition and is subject to random testing.

NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer explained the commissions ruling "There's two ways to look at. First off, 99 percent of fighters are over 21. That doesn't mean they can drink and fight. Alcohol is a prohibited substance. They can drink a week before the fight. They can drink after the fight. But they can't drink and get in the ring if they have alcohol in their system. The second way to look at it is there are situations where the fighter might be able to take something, but he needs to tell us in advance. That's why we ask on our pre-fight questionnaire, 'Have you taken any prescription medication in the last 15 days?' He put, 'No.' Now he's saying, 'Oh, I forgot.'"

The commission also decided to overturn Parisyan's UFC 94 win over Kim and declare it a "No Contest". Karo will also, face tougher drug screening from the commission after his 9 month suspension is completed.