Following a loss at UFC on FX 7, Thiago Tavares has tested positive for use of a banned substance that will result in a nine-month suspension from the sport.
Tavares returned a positive test for Drostanolone, an anabolic steroid, after his fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov in Brazil in January.
UFC officials confirmed the test results in a press release on Wednesday.
The positive drug test will result in Tavares being suspended for nine-months retroactive to the date of the fight, which was Jan 19.
Tavares lost the fight to Nurmagomedov at UFC on FX 7, so the result of the bout will remain as it stands with no change due to the positive drug test. Tavares must also complete a drug test screen before returning to active competition before his next fight is scheduled.
All 22 fighters that competed on UFC on FX 7 were tested and Tavares was the only fight that returned a positive test.
On another note however, UFC on FX 7 main event fighter Vitor Belfort did receive a therapy use exemption (TUE) for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in his fight against Michael Bisping.
“To dispel rumors that have been circulated, Zuffa wishes to clarify that Vitor Belfort’s drug test results were negative and did not indicate the presence of any performance enhancing drugs,” UFC officials said in a press release on Wednesday.
Belfort has been on a medically approved testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) regimen under the supervision of a medical doctor from the State of Nevada, after being diagnosed with hypogonadism, or low testosterone. The purpose of a medically administered TRT regimen is to allow patients with hypogonadism to maintain testosterone levels within a range that is normal for an adult male.
Belfort‘s testosterone levels were tested and remained in legal levels for the fight, and his usage was approved prior to the event taking place.
Damon Martin is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report
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