Tag: MMA drug tests

Gilbert Melendez Tests Positive for Testosterone Metabolites, Suspended One Year


(Eddie wasn’t angry the moment he found out Gil was juicing, just dissapointed. via Getty)

Every time I hear a UFC fighter claiming that 90% of the roster is on one kind of PED or another, I go into something of an emergency rationalization mode. Suddenly and almost subconsciously, I find myself running around my apartment like a beagle after a bath, hands clasped over my ears and screaming “It can’t be that high! Surely it’s something closer to 75%!!” Then I nuke up a Hot Pocket and take a Forget Me Now to keep my sanity intact.

Unfortunately for delusionally optimistic MMA fans like us here at CagePotato (lol!), the results that these new UFC drug-testing policies have garnered seem to align with the increasingly popular opinion that everyone in the sport is on PED’s and it’s simply a matter of time until they slip up. Case in point: Gilbert Melendez (aka Giblert aka “Le Nino”), the last guy you’d expect to test positive for anything, who conversely just tested positive for something.

Statements from Gilbert and the UFC are after the jump.  

The post Gilbert Melendez Tests Positive for Testosterone Metabolites, Suspended One Year appeared first on Cagepotato.


(Eddie wasn’t angry the moment he found out Gil was juicing, just dissapointed. via Getty)

Every time I hear a UFC fighter claiming that 90% of the roster is on one kind of PED or another, I go into something of an emergency rationalization mode. Suddenly and almost subconsciously, I find myself running around my apartment like a beagle after a bath, hands clasped over my ears and screaming “It can’t be that high! Surely it’s something closer to 75%!!” Then I nuke up a Hot Pocket and take a Forget Me Now to keep my sanity intact.

Unfortunately for delusionally optimistic MMA fans like us here at CagePotato (lol!), the results that these new UFC drug-testing policies have garnered seem to align with the increasingly popular opinion that everyone in the sport is on PED’s and it’s simply a matter of time until they slip up. Case in point: Gilbert Melendez (aka Giblert aka “Le Nino”), the last guy you’d expect to test positive for anything, who conversely just tested positive for something.

Statements from Gilbert and the UFC are after the jump.  

Yes, according to BloodyElbow, Melendez tested positive for an “exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites” following his split decision loss to Eddie Alvarez at UFC 188 and has been suspended for a year as a result. The news was announced by the UFC via a press release below:

Following his bout at UFC 188 in Mexico City on June 13, UFC lightweight Gilbert Melendez tested positive for exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites. The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by our athletes. As a result of the positive test, Melendez has accepted a one-year suspension, effective from the date of the bout, for violating the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC. 

“Regrettably, I tested positive in my post fight urine sample for UFC 188,” Melendez said. “I did not inject anything, but I am responsible and accept the consequences for the results.  I will make sure I am better educated about the products I use and their implications. Going forward I will ensure no products I use will contain banned substances. I am sincerely apologetic to everyone who supports me, including my fans, sponsors and the UFC.  I value your trust and respect and will do everything in my power to keep it.”

Melendez will no longer compete as scheduled on July 15. UFC officials are currently seeking a new opponent for Al Iaquinta, who was scheduled to face Melendez.

Well, at least Gil accepted responsibility for it. On a related note, I think “I did not inject anything” should become MMA’s version of “I never inhaled.”

As mentioned in the release, Al Iaquinta has now lost his second dance partner (after Bobby Green) for his Fight Night 71 co-headliner, and has since been pulled from the event altogether. He is not pleased, as you might imagine.

“I want to break something. I want to slam my head on the desk again. I don’t know. I’m just disappointed. I can’t describe it, man,” said Iaquinta on yesterday’s MMA Hour.

“I was ready to go. It was a perfect fight for me stylistically. I brought in guys who really had a good style and I’ve been doing great with the sparring, so it’s just, I don’t know, I’m just frustrated right now, man. I’m real frustrated.”

We’re frustrated too, Al. But while we’re waiting to hear when and where you’ll fight next, let’s just celebrate the fact that another cheater has been outed with that timeless Queen tune. Kick it, boys!

The post Gilbert Melendez Tests Positive for Testosterone Metabolites, Suspended One Year appeared first on Cagepotato.

Gilbert Melendez Tests Positive for Testosterone Metabolites, Suspended One Year


(Eddie wasn’t angry the moment he found out Gil was juicing, just dissapointed. via Getty)

Every time I hear a UFC fighter claiming that 90% of the roster is on one kind of PED or another, I go into something of an emergency rationalization mode. Suddenly and almost subconsciously, I find myself running around my apartment like a beagle after a bath, hands clasped over my ears and screaming “It can’t be that high! Surely it’s something closer to 75%!!” Then I nuke up a Hot Pocket and take a Forget Me Now to keep my sanity intact.

Unfortunately for delusionally optimistic MMA fans like us here at CagePotato (lol!), the results that these new UFC drug-testing policies have garnered seem to align with the increasingly popular opinion that everyone in the sport is on PED’s and it’s simply a matter of time until they slip up. Case in point: Gilbert Melendez (aka Giblert aka “Le Nino”), the last guy you’d expect to test positive for anything, who conversely just tested positive for something.

Statements from Gilbert and the UFC are after the jump.  

The post Gilbert Melendez Tests Positive for Testosterone Metabolites, Suspended One Year appeared first on Cagepotato.


(Eddie wasn’t angry the moment he found out Gil was juicing, just dissapointed. via Getty)

Every time I hear a UFC fighter claiming that 90% of the roster is on one kind of PED or another, I go into something of an emergency rationalization mode. Suddenly and almost subconsciously, I find myself running around my apartment like a beagle after a bath, hands clasped over my ears and screaming “It can’t be that high! Surely it’s something closer to 75%!!” Then I nuke up a Hot Pocket and take a Forget Me Now to keep my sanity intact.

Unfortunately for delusionally optimistic MMA fans like us here at CagePotato (lol!), the results that these new UFC drug-testing policies have garnered seem to align with the increasingly popular opinion that everyone in the sport is on PED’s and it’s simply a matter of time until they slip up. Case in point: Gilbert Melendez (aka Giblert aka “Le Nino”), the last guy you’d expect to test positive for anything, who conversely just tested positive for something.

Statements from Gilbert and the UFC are after the jump.  

Yes, according to BloodyElbow, Melendez tested positive for an “exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites” following his split decision loss to Eddie Alvarez at UFC 188 and has been suspended for a year as a result. The news was announced by the UFC via a press release below:

Following his bout at UFC 188 in Mexico City on June 13, UFC lightweight Gilbert Melendez tested positive for exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites. The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by our athletes. As a result of the positive test, Melendez has accepted a one-year suspension, effective from the date of the bout, for violating the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC. 

“Regrettably, I tested positive in my post fight urine sample for UFC 188,” Melendez said. “I did not inject anything, but I am responsible and accept the consequences for the results.  I will make sure I am better educated about the products I use and their implications. Going forward I will ensure no products I use will contain banned substances. I am sincerely apologetic to everyone who supports me, including my fans, sponsors and the UFC.  I value your trust and respect and will do everything in my power to keep it.”

Melendez will no longer compete as scheduled on July 15. UFC officials are currently seeking a new opponent for Al Iaquinta, who was scheduled to face Melendez.

Well, at least Gil accepted responsibility for it. On a related note, I think “I did not inject anything” should become MMA’s version of “I never inhaled.”

As mentioned in the release, Al Iaquinta has now lost his second dance partner (after Bobby Green) for his Fight Night 71 co-headliner, and has since been pulled from the event altogether. He is not pleased, as you might imagine.

“I want to break something. I want to slam my head on the desk again. I don’t know. I’m just disappointed. I can’t describe it, man,” said Iaquinta on yesterday’s MMA Hour.

“I was ready to go. It was a perfect fight for me stylistically. I brought in guys who really had a good style and I’ve been doing great with the sparring, so it’s just, I don’t know, I’m just frustrated right now, man. I’m real frustrated.”

We’re frustrated too, Al. But while we’re waiting to hear when and where you’ll fight next, let’s just celebrate the fact that another cheater has been outed with that timeless Queen tune. Kick it, boys!

The post Gilbert Melendez Tests Positive for Testosterone Metabolites, Suspended One Year appeared first on Cagepotato.

Everything You Need to Know About the UFC’s New Drug-Testing Policy


(“Okay Georges, we’ve done everything you’ve asked, now will you please come back? I can only book Lawler vs. Hendricks about 7 more times before people will start to grow restless.” Photo via Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

As part of their on-again–off-again–back-on again relationship with year-round, out-of-competition drug testing, the UFC held a press conference yesterday to announce several major changes to their program, as well as further detail the specific punishments and guidelines of this game-changing policy.

The complete rundown is after the jump.

The post Everything You Need to Know About the UFC’s New Drug-Testing Policy appeared first on Cagepotato.


(“Okay Georges, we’ve done everything you’ve asked, now will you please come back? I can only book Lawler vs. Hendricks about 7 more times before people will start to grow restless.” Photo via Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

As part of their on-again–off-again–back-on again relationship with year-round, out-of-competition drug testing, the UFC held a press conference yesterday to announce several major changes to their program, as well as further detail the specific punishments and guidelines of this game-changing policy.

The complete rundown is after the jump.

Firstly (and perhaps most importantly) was the UFC’s announcement that it will be partnering with the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to both implement and monitor its policies moving forward. As a result of this collaboration, all UFC fighters will be required to alert USADA of their whereabouts at all times, failure of which to do so (or skipping a drug test entirely) constitutes a strike against a fighter, with 3 strikes in a year is the equivalent of a failed drug test. USADA will additionally be granted full control over drug testing procedure, with no input from the UFC.

“If a commission-issued punishment is deemed less harsh than the UFC’s, the UFC-issued punishment will still be implemented as a deterrent.”

Secondly, all UFC athletes will be tested ”Unannouced, year-round, in and out of competition testing. Urine and blood testing, any place, any where” on an average of 5.5 times a year. As for the specific punishments, well, BloodyElbow has put together a nice little breakdown:

Punishments for non-specified substances (steroids, HGH, blood doping drugs, etc.)

-To be tested in and out of competition year-round.
1st offense: 2 years (with possibility of 4 years for “aggravating circumstances”)
2nd offense: Double the sanction for the 1st offense
3rd offense: Double the sanction for the 2nd offense

Punishments for specified substances (marijuana, cocaine, other stimulants, etc.)

-To be tested for in-competition only. In competition is defined as 6 hours before the weigh-ins and 6 hours after a fight.
1st offense: 1 year (with possibility of 2 additional years for “aggravating circumstances”)
2nd offense: Double the sanction for the 1st offense
3rd offense: Double the sanction for the 2nd offense

Most notable from this list, other than the possibility of seeing a fighter banned for 4 years for a steroid infraction, is the organization’s newly-defined period that constitutes “in competition” regarding recreational drugs like marijuana – 6 hours before the weigh-ins and 6 hours after a fight.

A few other bullet points:

-Any fighter caught with either steroids or recreational drugs in their system are subject to forfeiture of their UFC ranking, belt, and purse or other compensation due to a failed test.

-Results for fighters will also be overturned to DQ losses.

-Any purse, compensation or fine will be put toward the cost of the UFC’s anti-doping program and/or anti-doping research.

-A minimum of 2750 tests per year spread across the entire UFC roster (hence the 5.5 tests/fighter average), which will be administered without advance notice. Testing can include EPO, HGH, blood, urine, and CIR.

-Past failures prior to the new policy will be taken into consideration (under “aggravating circumstances”) when assessing punishments for repeat offenders.

-All fighter tests and locations — that is, location of the tests taken — will be available on the USADA website, searchable by fighter.

And finally, a “whistleblower” line will be made available to fighters to alert USADA to any suspicious activity, be it in their own camps or otherwise.

As we said when the UFC first announced these changes, this is a huge, positive step forward for the legitimacy of our oft-anything but sport. It’s still remains to be seen just how effectively the UFC/USADA will carry this out when the policy rolls out on July 1st. We will have more on this story as it develops.

The post Everything You Need to Know About the UFC’s New Drug-Testing Policy appeared first on Cagepotato.