The Ultimate Fighting Championship signed a deal with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to help clean the sport of mixed martial arts and rid the octagon of performance enhancing drugs. Fighters who are on the active UFC roster are subjected to random drug tests, and New York favorite Gian Villante’s test was flagged for use of vilanterol.
USADA has since taken a look at Villante’s case and claimed that he is clear of any wrong-doing, granting him a retroactive TUE exemption. USADA released the following statement below:
“Upon a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Villante’s use of vilanterol, which included the retroactive TUE application process, USADA determined that the athlete had an unequivocally diagnosed acute medical condition for which the use of vilanterol is consistent with the standard of care.”
“Further, it was determined that the short-term use of the Breo Ellipta inhaler was within the manufacturer’s therapeutic recommendation and was intended to return the athlete to a normal state of health without providing a performance-enhancing benefit. Finally, other permitted therapeutic alternatives were not successful at controlling the athlete’s condition.”
“Because Villante’s TUE application was granted retroactively, his declaration of a prohibited substance and his subsequent positive test will not result in an anti-doping policy violation. Accordingly, Villante remains eligible to compete on the UFC Fight Night Card in Fortaleza, Brazil, on March 11, 2017.”
