(“Gay Jesus, why you have forsaken me yet again?”)
Despite officially being rolled out on July 1st, the UFC’s new, comprehensive drug-testing policy only really went into effect at the start of the new year, according to those in the know. Less than a month later, it appears that USADA has already nabbed its first violator in the form of top middleweight contender Yoel Romero.
Last night, the United States Anti-Doping Agency informed Romero of a “potential violation,” claiming that Romero had flunked one of their out-of-competition tests. While the exact substance Romero tested positive for has yet to be revealed, MMAJunkie’s Steven Marrocco took to Twitter to get the rumor mill turning.
“Hearing that Romero popped for a designer steroid – a peptide that increases testosterone production,” wrote Marrocco.
As expected, the UFC released an obligatory statement on Romero’s violation via their website last night.
The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed Yoel Romero of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Romero. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.
*Yawn*
If you’re interested in hearing some actually interesting thoughts on Romero’s potential violation, look no further than Tim Kennedy, who might still be a little bitter over his controversial loss to Romero at UFC 178.
In fact, the reaction to Romero’s positive test has been pretty similar across the board, with even Michael Bisping piling on Kennedy’s verbal assault.
“So Yoel tests positive, not surprised at all #roider of God is a cheating scumbag, Tweeted Bisping, “@TimKennedyMMA I feel ur pain having been there before.”
Newly-crowned middleweight champion Luke Rockhold wasn’t far behind, writing “I’m sick of all these cheaters. It’s pathetic, man up or get the fuck out.”
As of now, Romero has yet to comment on the issue, but as a former Olympian and one of the names on the short list of middleweight contenders, it’s safe to say that his violation, if proven, will have dire consequences.
Related: In light of the Romero news, we’ve gone ahead and updated our MMA Steroid Busts Timeline to include all of 2015′s violators. We’ll hold off on adding Romero to the list until more information is supplied, but check it out and let us know if there’s anyone we missed.
The post Yoel Romero Hit with “Potential USADA Violation” + An Update to Our Steroid Bust Timeline appeared first on Cagepotato.