Roosevelt De Sousa has been handed a three-year suspension after testing positive for meldonium, an infamous performance-enhancing drug often associated with athletes from Russia and Eastern Europe.
Positive Test At 2025 IBJJF Worlds
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world was shaken when the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced that De Sousa tested positive for meldonium following an in-competition test at the 2025 IBJJF World Championship on December 13, 2025. As a result, all of his competitive results from that date onward have been disqualified, including any medals, titles, points, and prize money.
The suspension officially began on January 13, 2026. Although the standard sanction for this type of anti-doping violation is four years, De Sousa’s ban was reduced to three years after he promptly admitted the violation and accepted the consequences, in accordance with Article 10.8.1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.
What Is Meldonium?
Meldonium, also known by its brand name Mildronate, is a prescription medication developed in Latvia and widely used across Russia and Eastern Europe. It is primarily prescribed to treat heart conditions, such as ischemia, and is commonly taken by older patients to improve blood flow and cardiovascular function.
Despite its legitimate medical applications, meldonium gained notoriety in the sports world due to its potential performance-enhancing effects, including improved endurance and stamina, enhanced oxygen delivery to tissues, and faster recovery from physical exertion.
Because of these benefits, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) added meldonium to its list of prohibited substances on January 1, 2016, classifying it as a hormone and metabolic modulator.
Comparison To Islam Makhachev’s Case
De Sousa’s situation has drawn comparisons to that of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who also tested positive for meldonium in 2016. However, the circumstances surrounding the two cases differ significantly.
Makhachev’s positive test occurred shortly after meldonium was added to the banned list. He demonstrated that the substance had been used as part of a legitimate medical treatment and that he had discontinued its use prior to the ban. Only trace amounts were detected, leading to a significantly shorter suspension.
In contrast, De Sousa’s violation took place nearly a decade after the prohibition was well established, resulting in a more severe sanction.
A Substance With A Controversial Legacy
Meldonium became widely known following several high-profile doping cases, most notably that of tennis star Maria Sharapova, who tested positive at the 2016 Australian Open. She stated that she had been taking the medication for health reasons and was unaware that it had been banned. Other athletes from the region, including swimmer Yuliya Efimova, were also linked to the substance, reinforcing its reputation as an infamous Russian PED.
Impact On The BJJ Community
De Sousa’s suspension represents one of the more significant anti-doping sanctions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in recent years. The case underscores the increasing role of organizations like USADA in maintaining the integrity of the sport and serves as a reminder to athletes about the importance of verifying all medications and supplements.
The three-year ban of Roosevelt De Sousa highlights the lasting controversy surrounding meldonium. While the drug continues to be legitimately prescribed for heart-related conditions in parts of Eastern Europe, its association with enhanced endurance has cemented its status as a banned performance-enhancing substance in competitive sports.
As Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu continues to professionalize, cases like this emphasize the necessity for strict adherence to anti-doping regulations and the responsibility of athletes to remain fully informed about the substances they use.
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