It looks like the “Cowboy” boot is on the other foot for Donald Cerrone, who will now wait for a short-notice replacement opponent to punch in the face at UFC Fight Night 83, which is scheduled for Pittsburgh, Pa., on Feb. 21, 2016, at Consol Energy Center.
That’s because his original Welterweight opponent, Tim Means, has been pulled from the FOX Sports 1-televised show after a potential anti-doping violation was detected in a recent out-of-competition drug test.
UFC released the following statement:
“UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Tim Means of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection. USADA, the independent administrator of UFC’s 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. However, because Means was scheduled to compete against Donald Cerrone on February 21 in Pittsburgh, there is insufficient time for a full review and proper promotion before the scheduled bout. As a result, UFC will announce shortly a replacement opponent for Cerrone on the UFC Fight Night card in Pittsburgh.”
Means (25-7-1) was coming off a second-round knockout of John Howard at UFC Fight Night 80 in Dec. 2015. He is 5-1 in his last six fights and moved up to Welterweight in 2013 following a career at Lightweight. The showdown with Cerrone — a career top-ranked 155-pound fighter who has earned a reputation to fight anyone, anywhere — was his big opportunity to break through the pack.
It’s unclear at this time if UFC will afford him a similar opportunity moving forward, especially if the illegal substance violation is confirmed after additional tests.
Cerrone, meanwhile, will more than likely agree to any match UFC is able to cobble together on super short notice, regardless of the weight class. And he won’t make excuses about being banged up, either.
It’s good to have options … and a game fighter like Cerrone.
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