When a UFC fighter fails a USADA drug test they’re typically dealt with the guidelines that the rulebook states. After all, not all drug test failures are created equally.
Nowadays a fighter can flag with USADA for something as simple as Advil. So treatment of fighters on a case-by-case basis is needed under the current UFC climate.
What we don’t see is a fighter lose his job over a failed UFC drug test. Up until now this has not happened.
It was revealed today that UFC heavyweight fighter Carlos Felipe was cut from his contract before ever stepping foot inside the UFC’s octagon. He was flagged by USADA before ever making his UFC debut, and as a result was given a two-year suspension.
USADA holds jurisdiction over fighters in the UFC. So by granting the UFC newcomer his release the UFC has in essence saved his career. He will likely not be allowed another shot inside the UFC, but he can still fight and pay his bills.
It’s a new first for the UFC, having never terminated a fighter indefinitely for his failed test.
The UFC has not commented on the fighter’s release.
Here’s USADA’s official announcement on the fighters drug test.
USADA announced today that UFC® athlete Carlos Felipe Cabral de Almeida, known professionally as Carlos Felipe, of Feira de Santana, Brazil, has accepted a two-year sanction after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
Felipe, 22, tested positive for stanozolol metabolites, 16β‐hydroxy‐stanozolol and 3’‐hydroxy‐stanozolol, following an out-of-competition urine test conducted on July 29, 2017. Stanozolol is a non-Specified Substance in the category of Anabolic Agents and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Felipe’s two-year period of ineligibility began on September 19, 2017, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. As a result of his positive test, Felipe was removed from the Card for the UFC Fight Night event in Sao Paulo, Brazil, scheduled for October 28, 2017.
Pursuant to the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, all UFC athletes serving a period of ineligibility for an anti-doping policy violation are required to remain in the USADA registered testing pool and make themselves available for testing in order to receive credit for time completed under his or her sanction.
USADA conducts the year-round, independent anti-doping program for all UFC athletes. USADA is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental agency whose sole mission is to preserve the integrity of competition, inspire true sport, and protect the rights of clean athletes. In an effort to aid UFC athletes, as well as their support team members, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on the UFC Anti-Doping Program website (http://ufc.USADA.org) regarding the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. In addition, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, Drug Reference Online (http://ufc.globaldro.com), conducts educational sessions, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, and periodic athlete alerts.
