Cung Le has released a statement denying he’s taken any illegal substances and calling into question the UFC’s drug-testing procedure after excess levels of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) were found in his system following his fourth round TKO loss to Michael Bisping at a UFC Fight Night event in Macau on August 23rd, leading to a one year suspension from the sport.
“I was completed surprised at the results of my recent drug test. I was informed by the UFC that I passed my pre and post-fight drug test as well as the majority of the blood tests with the only abnormality being an elevated level of hGH being determined to be present. I tested negative for Anabolics, Stimulants, Diuretics, Masking Agents and my Testosterone levels were within World Anti- Doping Agency and Nevada State Athletic Commission Approved limits a total of three times over two urine tests and a blood test collected both before and after my fight which is what makes these hGH result so difficult for me to accept as correct. This has also caused me to call the testing procedures into question.
I have been informed that there are many possible reasons for a level of hGH to exceed what is allowed unknowingly and my doctors are researching those possibilities, which may include a much more serious health concern. I have also been informed about the unreliability of the current hGH testing that exists and it’s high rate of inaccuracy.
I want to reiterate to my fans and the fans of mixed martial arts everywhere that I did not take any performance enhancing drugs or anything that would cause my natural level of hGH to exceed normal levels.”
His claims that he’s innocent of any wrong-doing is likely to fall on deaf ears, especially when it comes to his last opponent Michael Bisping who said earlier this week that Le had, “Tried to cheat me out of a victory.”
It’s nothing new to ‘The Count’ though as over the course of his career he’s faced a number of fighters who’ve failed drug tests over the years, including Chael Sonnen, Chris Leben, Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva.
