James Irvin, in a letter to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, admits to taking painkillers without a prescription. James tested positive for oxymorphone (commonly used for killing pain) and methadone (commonly used to treat heroine addiction) after an impromptu fight against Anderson Silva on a July 19th UFC card of this year.

“In the days leading up to my fight with Anderson Silva, I experienced some residual pain in my foot from a previous injury,” Irvin elaborated in his letter. “I made the extremely poor choice to take some pain medications that I did not have a prescription for. I realize this was an ignorant and dangerous decision.”

James Irvin broke his foot last May preparing for a co-event bout against Rashad Evans at UFC 85 "Bedlam". He accepted the Silva fight a few short days after a six week layoff because of his prior injury.

Irvin is suspended by the NSAC pending a separate disciplinary hearing that has yet to appear on the NSAC calendar. Typical suspensions for illicit drugs range from 6-9 months. Irvin plans to address said hearing and a public statement is forthcoming, according to Mike Roberts, Irvin's manager.