Tim Means was befuddled by his positive drug test, which took him out of a UFC Fight Night 83 headliner opposite former lightweight title challenger Donald Cerrone one month ago. “Dirty Bird” was found to have ostarine in his system, which is a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM).
According to USADA.org, SARMs are “similar to anabolic agents,” but “lack steroid-related side effects.”
Now, after more than a month spent on the sidelines, Bloody Elbow has learned that Means may catch a break when it comes to punishment. A source tells the site that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has taken the normal two-year ban for first-time offenders off the table.
That’s the good news.
However, Means still faces a lengthy layoff due to this miscue, whether or not he looks like a steroid user. The fan favorite will see his suspension be dated retroactively, so time served as of now counts.
Means, 32, is 5-1 in his last six UFC appearances and last defeated John Howard via second-round knockout back in December.
He’s not the only combatant to test positive this year and explain a failed drug test to be the result of a contaminated substance. Middleweight contender Yoel Romero was flagged by USADA for potentially violating their drug policy and according to “Soldier of God,” the substance for which he tested positive for was not directly on the label of the product.