A source close to the situation has revealed that Tim Means will escape USADA’s strictest punishment for testing positive for a banned substance. The source also revealed how the illegal substance got into the welterweight’s system.
Through a source close to the situation, Bloody Elbow has been informed that Tim Means’ positive drug test for the substance ostarine was due to a tainted supplement. That same source stated that USADA were currently working on ‘paperwork’ detailing the findings before an official announcement would be made.
Tim Means (25-7) was pulled from his headline bout with Donald Cerrone at UFC Fight Night 83 in early February after he was flagged for a potential violation of USADA regulations. In a tweet dated February 3rd, Means revealed that ostarine was the substance found in his system.
Never even heard of ostarine! Look at my physic. Do I look like a steroid user! Lol.
— tim means (@MeansTim) February 4, 2016
According to USADA’s website, ostarine is a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) which has similar properties to anabolic steroids.
Bloody Elbow was able to confirm though our source that ostarine had been detected by USADA, in a supplement that Means had been taking.
This is not the first time this year that a supplement has been blamed for a failed USADA test. UFC middleweight contender Yoel Romero was flagged for a USADA violation around the same time as Means. On February 8th, Romero and his manager Malki Kawa reasoned that Romero’s test results were due to a tainted supplement.
In light of the evidence, the source revealed that a two-year ban for Means had been taken ‘off the table.’ The source did state that Means was still likely to serve a suspension from UFC competition. However, the month between now and the announcement of the infraction would be factored into the time of his suspension.
The source also revealed that Means had accepted responsibility for ostarine being in his system.