Tag: CSAD

UFC suspends Bruno Silva six months for ‘likely unintentional’ anti-doping violation

UFC middleweight Bruno Silva was flagged for a failed drug test – but the promotion’s anti-doping wing says it’s unlikely intentional use.

UFC middleweight [autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag] has been suspended for half a year based on a failed April drug test, according to the promotion’s anti-doping wing.

Friday, the UFC anti-doping (CSAD) announced “Blindado” tested positive for 3a-Hydroxy-2a-methyl-5a-androstan-17-one, a metabolite of anabolic steroid drostanolone, through a urine sample submitted April 11.

According to CSAD, Silva submitted urine samples on March 30 and April 30 (prior to being notified of the failure), as well on June 11. All three of those samples came back negative. Though the source of the substance was never detected, CSAD said the levels of the substance are indicative of contamination.

This, combined with Silva’s cooperation throughout the process, lead CSAD to deem the failure “unintentional” and suspend Silva six months.

The drug test failure is Silva’s first under CSAD, though he failed a USADA test and was suspended two years in 2019 for boldenone. CSAD stated Friday it disagreed with USADA’s assessment about the likelihood boldenone could be found in meats, supplements, or creams.

“Because of CSAD’s disagreement with multiple pieces of testimony in the Arruda da Silva arbitration hearing that appear to be inaccurate, as well as the lack of consideration of other sources, CSAD is not treating this violation of the UFC ADP as a second violation,” CSAD wrote Friday.

Silva nor has team has yet commented publicly on the matter. He will be eligible to return to competition Oct. 11. Silva, 35, is on a three-fight skid. He most recently competed in March when he lost in controversial fashion to Chris Weidman.

New UFC anti-doping policy details annouced, program to begin Dec. 31

The UFC is beginning a new athlete anti-doping policy in 2024, and has announced details about the program.

The UFC has announced details of its new anti-doping program that will officially begin Dec. 31.

After a partnership with U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that began in 2015 soured, the promotion decided to cut ties and begin a new UFC anti-doping policy (UFC ADP).

According to a statement released Thursday by the promotion, sample collection will be conducted by Drug Free Sport International, with administration and sanctioning to be overseen independently by Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD), headed by president George Piro.

“UFC’s goal for the Anti-Doping Policy is to be the best, most effective, and most progressive anti-doping program in all of professional sports,” UFC chief business offer Hunter Campbell said in the statement. “UFC is proud of the advancements we have made with our anti-doping program over the past eight years, and we will continue to maintain an independently administered drug-testing program that ensures all UFC athletes are competing under fair and equal circumstances. With this new iteration of the program, UFC has once again raised the bar for health and safety in combat sports.”

UFC senior vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky was also quoted:

“This latest UFC Anti-Doping Program is the result of our continued efforts to protect the athletes who compete in the Octagon. This new program is the result of years of input and trial and error taken by UFC, our athletes, and third parties who have assisted UFC in operating the program. The anti-doping policy is a living and breathing document that will continue to evolve and adapt when clear science supports changes that can further protect UFC athletes who compete in UFC.”

MMA Junkie obtained an email Campbell sent to the UFC roster, detailing expectations for whereabouts filing and testing, which can be read below along with more details released in the public statement about the new UFC ADP.

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