Gil Melendez fails PED test, suspended one year
Gil Melendez: “Regrettably, I tested positive in my post fight urine sample for UFC 188. I did not inject anything, but I am responsible and accept the consequences.”
UFC lightweight Gilbert Melendez tested positive for exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites, and has been suspended for a year, retroactive to his losing effort vs Eddie Alvarez at UFC 188 on June 13, 2015 at Arena Ciudad de México in Mexico City, Mexico. The test failure date fell before the new USADA standards went into place on July 1, or the suspension would have been twice that, at least.
Regrettably, I tested positive in my post fight urine sample for UFC 188, said Melendez in a statement on UFC.com. 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.
The fight with Al Iaquinta on July 15 is of course canceled.
“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 Ariel Helwani’s The 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.”
Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone naturally offered himself as a ready replacement.
Cowboy Cerrone @Cowboycerrone
•I know a guy!! Always game, Drug and PED free :cow::boy::skin-tone-4:
•Got to make that money. I sure like money
However, Iaquinta has been pulled from the card.
Ariel Helwani @arielhelwani
Iaquinta said on #themmahour that he isn’t going to fight on the SD card now that Melendez is off, going to fix a knee issue.
Dave Sholler @Sholler_UFC
Correct. Ferguson vs. Thomson is new co-main. Now 12-fight card.
Alvarez expressed no bitterness.
Just say No, he tweeted. I never judge anyone fro doing anything. not taking PEDs has been a personal decision for me . Everyone does s— differently. I been blessed, I never felt the need to take anything, but we are in a tough sport highly competitive, I understand why guys do stuff.
One a thing is for sure, you will never see a positive test on my end, i barely like protein powder!! If I showed you my supplement program you would absolutely erupt in laughter.
Given the testosterone fueled battering his face took, Alvarez’s remarks are gallant.