Earlier Wednesday, it was announced that middleweight Ricardo Abreu was notified of a potential USADA violation from an out-of-competition sample taken on Dec. 21.
And this isn’t the first time Abreu’s been under the USADA microscope as the Brazilian is currently serving a two-year suspension after testing positive for 19-norandrosterone (19-NA) above the decision limit of 3 ng/mL and 19-noretiocholanolone in an out-of-competition test on June 3.
“The UFC organization was formally notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Ricardo Abreu of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection taken on December 21, 2016.
“Abreu is currently serving a two-year suspension under the UFC Anti-Doping Program, after the anabolic steroid metabolites 19-norandrosterone (19-NA) and 19-noretiocholanolone were detected in a sample collected from Abreu on June 3, 2016. Under his current suspension, Abreu is not eligible to return to competition until July 1, 2018.
“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 fair legal review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed.
“Consistent with all previous potential anti-doping violations, additional information or UFC statements will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
Abreu fought three days after the test in June when he lost by split decision to Jake Collier. The Brazilian is the second fighter in less than week to potentially fail a drug test while currently serving a suspension as last week George Sullivan was flagged for a potential violation.
