Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC
One fighter’s Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) journey has ended before it officially began. Antonio Trocoli has been cut by the promotion for failing an in-competition drug test following his win over Kenneth Bergh on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series (DWTNCS) back on July 9, 2019.
UFC president Dana White revealed the decision on last night’s show, and ESPN confirmed the initial report by Combate on Wednesday (July 31, 2019).
”We’re going to release him. He shouldn’t be using anywhere for any reason,” said White.
Trocoli earned a contract by defeating Bergh via neck crank in the very first round. This, despite the fact that he broke his foot early on in the bout. According to MMA Fighting, Trocoli’s team is in the process of having his supplements tested for possible contamination after testing positive for the anabolic steroid nandralone.
The pre-fight test was administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
Currently at 12-3 as a professional, Trocoli’s win over Bergh could be overturned to a no-contest (NC) by NSAC, and his hopes of ever competing inside the Octagon again will likely be dashed forever unless he and his team can prove contamination.