Munhoz accepts year suspension, can fight now
“As a result of the positive test, Munhoz has accepted a one-year suspension from the Nova Scotia Boxing Authority, effective from the date of the bout.”
UFC bantamweight and team Blackhouse member Pedro Munhoz beat Jerrold Sanders in 39 seconds at UFC Fight Night 53 on October 4 last year in Halifax, NS. Although it was never announced, Munhoz said he was told he failed a post-fight test for elevated levels of testosterone; the win was changed to a No Contest.
Munhoz was adamant that he did not take any PEDs what so ever. That is a common stance, but what happened next is less common.
Munhoz secured the services of anti-doping specialist Paul Scott, who did an investigation and appealed the decision with the Nova Scotia Boxing Authority.
Nova Scotia Boxing Authority chairman Michael MacDonald said at the time that the UFC did all the drug testing, and had the sample tested at a lab in Nevada. MacDonald said he was informed of the test failure by the UFC.
Now Munhoz has accepted the suspension and fight change to a No Contest. Because the suspension is retroactive, Munhoz is now free to compete.
Steven Marrocco has the story for MMAJunkie.
Following his bout at ‘UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine’ in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on October 4, 2014, bantamweight Pedro Munhoz tested positive for exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites, stated MacDonald’s email. As a result of the positive test, Munhoz has accepted a one-year suspension from the Nova Scotia Boxing Authority, effective from the date of the bout. His victory over Jerrod Sanders will be changed to no-contest.
MacDonald said Munhoz was not admitting to the use of performance-enhancing drugs as part of his deal.
The NSBA’s official finding of exogenous testosterone metabolites points to a carbon isotope ratio test, which detects the synthetic version of the hormone … In an email, a UFC official said the promotion did order a CIR test.
The finding differs from Munhoz’s initial statements about the case. He said he and his reps were working toward a settlement with the commission after confusion related to his post-fight drug test, which allegedly revealed elevated testosterone levels of 850 ng/mL, or on the high end of the normal range for men his age.
Munhoz admitted using two supplements that may have elevated his testosterone, but according to paperwork he obtained from the commission, his levels weren’t in the illegal range. Despite that, he said the commission attempted to use the results from a previous drug test conducted in Nevada as proof he was in violation of the rules. Nevada, meanwhile, claimed to have no knowledge of the fighter’s case.
