The UFC has been rumbling about making a new women’s division for a while now. Prior to Cristiane Justino Cyborg signing with them the division was to be the 125 lbs – between the current bantamweight at 135 and 115 lbs!
The new division will finally be 145 lbs but due to some negotiation issues Cyborg won’t be the inaugural champion. The title holder will be decided February 11th 2017 in a fight between Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie.
It has now been revealed that the UFC has been notified of a failed drug test from Cris Cyborg.
The UFC released a statement on their website:
“The UFC organization was formally notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection on December 5, 2016.
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 fair legal review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed.
Consistent with all previous potential anti-doping violations, additional information or UFC statements will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
On January 6, 2012, it was announced that Justino had tested positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid. As a result of the banned substance, the fight’s result was changed to a no decision. Justino had her license suspended for one year and was fined $2,500.
Meanwhile Cyborg was twice offered a title shot to which she replied she needed time to recover from the grueling weight cut. Cyborg famously struggled making weight for the last couple of bouts. The fight against Holm that was offered to her also had different terms, according to some reposrts Holm would agree to 138 but not to 145.
De Randamie is 3-1 in the Octagon. She’s had back to back finishes against Anna Elmose and Larissa Pacheco.
