The UFC have released a statement following the reported violation of anti-doping procedures by former world championship challenger Chad Mendes.
In it, an out-of-competition sample collection from ‘Money’ Mendes has been flagged for further inspection. The statement reads:
“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Chad Mendes of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
USADA controls the anti-doping programs for U.S. Olympic athletes, among other competitions. The UFC announced their partnership with the organisation in an effort to clean their section of the sport on June 3, 2015, and the UFC Anti-Doping Program went into effect on July 1, 2015.
Since November, five UFC fighters have received and accepted sanctions due to positive tests, with the latest, Tim Means, only announced yesterday.
Per USADA’s website, Chad Mendes has been tested seven times to date, with no transgressions occurring before today. The possible punishment if the ‘review process’ proves wrongdoing is unclear, as is the identity of the banned substance in question.
Mendes hasn’t fought since December, where he lost to Frankie Edgar in the first round. The result followed two championship title fight losses in the preceding fifteen months to Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo (who accused Mendes of using PEDs ahead of the bout).
The news follows the controversy surrounding the decision to grant the recently returned Brock Lesnar an exemption from the four month ‘grace’ period for retired fighters re-entering competition.
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