Carlos Felipe pulled from UFC debut following flagged anti-doping test
“USADA has informed Carlos Felipe of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on July 29, 2017.”
Estimates of the percentage of professional fighters using PEDs vary enormously, from 10% to 90%. That is not the case in the UFC, where all fighters are subject to random, comprehensive, out of competition tests. However, when a fighter is signed, testing starts immediately, and even if the athlete stops doping immediately, a test can be flagged. Clenbuterol is out of your system in days. Winstrol taken orally lasts in the system for a few weeks. Deca can be detected for up to 18 months.
This is not just a North American phenomenon. Anecdotally, the percentage of top BJJ players and fighters in Brazil using PEDs is high.
On August 2 Combate announced that the UFC had signed undefeated 22-year-old heavyweight Carlos ‘Boi’ Felipe to fight Christian Colombo at UFC Fight Night 119 on October 28 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. However, days before the first announcement, Felipe was tested, and failed.
Via UFC.com.
The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Carlos Felipe of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on July 29, 2017. Because of the proximity to Felipe’s upcoming scheduled bout in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 28, 2017, against Christian Columbo, Felipe has been removed from the card and 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 Felipe. 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.
Having a test flagged does not mean that Felipe has taken PEDs. For example, last year three fighters Li Jingliang, Augusto Montano, and Ning Guangyou had tests flagged for Clenbuterol but were ultimately determined to No Fault, as the substance is present in the meat supply in their home countries. Also last year Islam Makhachev had a test flagged for Meldonium but was found No Fault. Other times of course fighters are completely guilty and receive a full two-year suspension. And many are in between.
The fighter responded via his social network. Translation via Google Translate.
“I was informed of a potential violation in the anti-doping test,” he wrote. “I am fully aware that I have not used any substance prohibited by USADA Since I signed with the UFC, I don’t even take caffeine capsules any more! I will be awaiting the USADA trial … I apologize to all those who were looking forward to this fight.”
