Former featherweight title contender Chad Mendes is the latest fighter to have been caught out by USADA’s anti-doping agency, with the UFC releasing a statement confirming that he’s been flagged for a potential violation as a result of an out-of-competition test.
The 31 year-old Mendes has found the going tough at the top end of the 145lb weight class over the past few years, with the 16-1 career record that he held at the end of 2013 having gradually been eroded with just one win in his last four fights.
That includes a short notice TKO loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 189 in the summer of last year, followed by a first round KO defeat at the hands of Frankie Edgar back in December.
Nevertheless, Mendes is still ranked No.4 in the division at this moment in time, but if this proves to have been a voliation due to a performance enhancing drug then ‘Money’ could be facing a two year suspension from the sport, which would be a hammerblow for his career.
Read the UFC’s full statement below.
“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Chad Mendes of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
