UFC featherweight contender Chad Mendes responds to USADA report
Team Alpha Male stalwart tweets a message appearing to accept responsibility following 'potential anti-doping policy violation'
FORMER UFC featherweight title challenger Chad 'Money' Mendes could find himself on the sidelines for an extended period following news of his 'potential anti-doping violation' last week.
And the American looks to have broken his silence on the matter, posting a short message to his Twitter account apparently accepting responsibility for being flagged by USADA for the potential violation.
In a tweet that appears to address his current situation with USADA, he wrote: "I didn't do my homework and that was a big mistake.
"I own it and I'm going to pay for it."
The Californian was flagged by USADA for a 'potential anti-doping policy violation', which in the majority of cases means he's failed a drug test, either via his blood or urine samples, or by disclosing the usage of a banned substance in his questionnaire.
A statement released by the UFC on June 10 read: “The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Chad Mendes of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection.
“USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case.
“It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair review 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.”
If Mendes is found to have tested positive for a ‘non-specified substance’ he could face a minimum suspension of two years from the sport, with the potential for that penalty to be doubled to four years for ‘aggravating circumstances’ such as the presence of masking agents.
UFC/USADA Anti-Doping Penalties
‘Non-specified substances’
As defined by the WADA code: Anabolic steroids, growth hormones, peptides, blood doping drugs and methods (tested for in and out of competition)
- First offence: Two years (with possibility of four years for ‘aggravating circumstances’)
- Second offence: Double the sanction for the first offence
- Third offence: Double the sanction for the second offence
‘Specified substances’
As defined by the WADA code: Marijuana, cocaine, other stimulants and glucocorticosteroids (tested for in-competition only)
- First offence: One year (with possibility of two additional years for ‘aggravating circumstances’
- Second offence: Double the sanction for the first offence
- Third offence: Double the sanction for the second offence
An anti-doping violation during or leading up to a bout will result in disqualification of result and forfeiture of title, ranking and purse or other compensation.
Any purse, compensation or fine will be put toward the cost of UFC anti-doping programme and/or anti-doping research.
