Despite recently retiring, Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic has still been handed down a two year suspension from the sport by USADA due to the fact that by his own admission he had used human growth hormone (hGH) to treat a shoulder injury prior to his fight with Anthony Hamilton at UFC Fight Night 79.
“Filipovic’s period of ineligibility began on November 9, 2015, the date he first admitted to his anti-doping policy violations to USADA,” the agency who oversee the UFC’s drug-testing said in a statement. “In addition, Filipovic has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to October 30, 2015, the date on which he first used hGH in violation of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, including forfeiture of any title, ranking, purse or other compensation.”
The UFC also released their own statement, confirming the suspension and Cro Cop’s retirement>
“UFC recognizes the two-year sanction issued today to Mirko Cro Cop by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for violations of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.
UFC secured the services of USADA, a third-party agency, earlier this year to administer its Anti-Doping Policy to ensure that all athletes compete on an even playing field, free of performance enhancing drugs. UFC appreciates Cro Cop’s disclosure and admission of usage of a prohibited substance, and supports the issuance of necessary sanctions to maintain a clean sport.
Cro Cop has subsequently announced his retirement from the sport after a storied career. UFC recognizes his accomplishments in the sport of mixed martial arts and wishes him well in future endeavors.”
So, Cro Cop’s career unfortunately ends on a sour note at the age of 41 and in hindsight he may regret that he didn’t just hang his gloves up back in April after returning to the UFC and successfully avenging his infamous loss to Gabriel Gonzaga.
