Royce Gracie has accepted his suspension. (AP Images)
Mixed martial arts legend and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pioneer Royce Gracie (14-3-3) has elected not to appeal a ruling by the California Athletic Commission which suspends him from competition until May 30, 2008.
Gracie was suspended by the CSAC on June 14 after testing positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone Metabolite following his decision victory over Kazushi Sakuraba (21-10-1) at K-1 Dynamite on June 12 in Los Angeles, California. Gracie was also fined $2,500, which is the maximum penalty allowed, representing 0.8 percent of the $300,000 purse he was awarded for the win.
Although Gracie was given 30 days to appeal the suspension and seek a disciplinary hearing, he has elected not to file a request for an appeal.
"Royce Gracie's timeframe to appeal his suspension has expired," the CSAC announced. "A formal appeal hearing request was not received in our office; therefore the suspension and fine are final."
Gracie maintains that he has never taken any performance enhancing drugs and that his decision not to appeal was an effort to save time and money.
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