The Cuban Olympic silver medalist will become the first fighter to ever appeal a USADA suspension stemming from a failed drug test.
In January, the UFC announced that top-middleweight contender Yoel Romero Palacio had possibly violated the USADA Anti-Doping Policy and could be placed on a two-year suspension — a long time for the 38-year old former Olympian.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Romero plans to appeal the suspension, according to MMA Fighting. He would be the first fighter to do so.
The Olympic silver medalist and his team claim, that he took a “dietary supplement” that was contaminated with a banned substance. Neither Romero’s team nor USADA have yet revealed which substance he tested positive for.
MMA Fighting also reported that Romero was already negotiating a deal with USADA that could have his suspension reduced a considerable amount from two years to nine months. Obviously not enough for Romero, who will now have to open a USADA arbitration case, which will cost him $2,700. He will also have to appear at an arbitration hearing on a yet to be announced date. The UFC will pay the costs for the arbitrator.