Gilbert Melendez wasn’t the only fighter from UFC 188 to fail a drug test.
The UFC has suspended Augusto Montano for one year after the popular Mexican fighter tested positive for exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites on June 13 in Mexico City, the promotion announced Friday. Montano lost his fight to Cathal Pendred via unanimous decision.
The UFC regulated the event itself since Mexico City does not have an athletic commission. Melendez also tested positive for exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites and was suspended for one year. He was pulled from a fight with Al Iaquinta, which would have been the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee on Wednesday in San Diego.
Montano (15-2) won six in a row before falling to Pendred. At UFC 180 last November in Mexico City, “Dodger” knocked out Chris Heatherly in the first round.
Montano’s failure came prior to the UFC’s new anti-doping program run by USADA, so he avoided an even longer ban.