Just as James "The Sandman" Irvin was picking up the pieces from his recent loss to Anderson Silva at Fight Night 14, he was hit with another crushing blow.

Only this time it wasn’t in the form of a Silva right hand. Instead the UFC vet tested positive for painkillers Oxymorphine and Methadone in a post-fight urinalysis conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission; a move that could cost the 29 year old a six to twelve month suspension and his fight purse from the event which was $20,000.

Both of the painkillers found in Irvin’s system are opioids. Oxymorphine is an analgesic painkiller used to treat pain. Methadone is also prescribed for pain but is mainly used to treat serious opioid dependence for drugs such as heroin.

Ten other fighters that participated in Fight Night 14 were given the same urinalysis during the event but all tested clean.

Justin Levens Banned for Same Substance
Just off the heels of Irvin’s suspension, another fighter was thrown into the mix, testing positive for the same substance. UFC and WEC fighter Justin Levens tested positive for Oxymorphine prior to his scheduled bout with Ray Lizama at Affliction’s debut show "Banned." The tests were confirmed in a report released on Tuesday by the California State Athletic Commission.

Oddly enough his drug test was not the reason for the cancelled bout. There simply wasn’t enough time to fit the bout into Affliction’s star-studded card. Levens will face a similar punishment to that of "The Sandman"; a six month suspension and $1,000 fine.

To add insult to injury, Levens hasn’t won a fight in over two years. His last victory was a TKO over Brian Warren at "Beatdown in Bakersfield" on November 17, 2006. Since then he has lost five straight fights in a row. With his current suspension, the possibility of a win in 2008 is looking more and more unlikely.