UFC bantamweight Augusto Mendes has been pulled from a scheduled fight vs. Merab Dvalishvili at UFC Fight Night 128 April 21, 2018, as he had an anti-doping test flagged.
Via UFC.com.
The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Augusto Mendes of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on March 7, 2018. Due to the proximity of Mendes’ upcoming scheduled bout at UFC FIGHT NIGHT: BARBOZA vs. LEE in Atlantic City, New Jersey on April 21, 2018 against Merab Dvalishvili , Mendes has been removed from the card and the UFC is currently seeking a replacement.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Mendes. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.
The Brazilian former Mundial champion is 2-1 in the UFC. Given that a significant number of flagged tests end up with a finding of diminished or no fault, the fighter should be presumed innocent of any wrongdoing until a final determination is announced.
