36 year old former UFC fighter and bjj champion Augusto Tanquinho Mendes finally settled his doping case with USADA. Following extensive testing it was found that he tested positive for Ostarine due to a tainted supplement.
Subsequently he accepted a retroactive suspension for 6 months rendering him eligible to fight in the UFC.
All four fighters *( Nicco Montano, Sean O’Malley, Augusto Mendes, and Marvin Vettori) failed out-of-competition drug tests for ostarine, but USADA determined the positive tests were all a result of the use of contaminated supplements. The agency found “no evidence of intentional use” in any of the four cases, per a press release.
Mendes failed his test on March 7th 2018. His suspension began later that month and is already over. Mendes, a bantamweight, is no longer in the UFC. He was granted his release last June.
Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), which are similar to anabolic agents, per USADA.
Tanquinho wrote:
It’s finally over! I proved my innocence as I always said from the beginning! After 13 months my USADA case is over, I got 6 months sanction that was already served 7 months ago. I’m free and clear to fight immediately!
I knew in my heart that I did nothing wrong, I lost a lot time, sponsors, contracts, but guess what? when you serve a God that is bigger than everything, nothing is impossible and my Lord will make me recover everything!
For 13 months I fought, not in the ring but internally to prove my innocence, it cost me exactly 2 years without fighting MMA, cost me a lot of money, but all sacrifice were paid off and worthy. Nothing pay for the satisfaction of cleared my name.
I’ve been competing in the hight level since I was 15 years old, I won my first world title as 17 and for 21 years I’ve been fighting at the highest level, winning 7 BJJ world titles, 3 as black belt and proving that my dedication and hard work brought me here and not any perfomance enhancing drugs.
To all my family, friends and fans that were by my side during that dark time, thank you so much!
The future in the cage it is in the God’s hands and I’m looking forward to be fighting soon! *Psalm 35*
He will be competing at ADCC next.
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.
