Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino is back in business after USADA accepted her application for a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption by USADA.
‘Cyborg’ had failed a drug test early in the year when she was found to be taking spironolactone, a banned diuretic, but the fighter has since been able to prove that she’s only been taking the substance to combat health issues she experienced after a bad weight cut leading into UFC Fight Night 95 last year.
“Upon notice of her positive test, Justino immediately identified a medication prescribed by her physician for the treatment of a common endocrine disorder as the source of the prohibited substance detected in her sample,” a USADA statement reads. “She also participated in multiple interviews with USADA’s investigative team and consented to USADA interviewing her physician as well.
“After a thorough investigation of the circumstances that preceded her positive test, which included a comprehensive review of Justino’s documented medical history, USADA accepted Justino’s explanation that her use of spironolactone began in late September, following her bout at UFC Fight Night Brasilia, and was in accordance with her physician’s recommendation for the treatment of a legitimate medical condition.”
Dana White had indicated recently that good news was on the way for ‘Cyborg’, and was confident enough that she was going to be cleared to fight again that he had the Brazilian star sitting cage-side last weekend to watch the first ever woman’s featherweight title fight at UFC 208 between Germaine De Randamie and Holly Holm.
It’s widely acknowledged that if it wasn’t for ‘Cyborg’ the UFC would never have moved to create this new 145lb weight class in the first place, and so there will no doubt be a big sigh of relief from the promotion that they can now welcome her into the division.
It remains to be seen who ‘Cyborg’ will fight first in the division though, with newly crowned champion De Randamie having indicated post-fight last weekend that she’ll now need to undergo hand surgery, which has prompted the Brazilian to call out interim Invicta FC featherweight champion Megan Anderson instead.
“If @IronLadyMMA is injured I’d like 2 give Australias biggest #keyboardwarrior @MeganA_mma a chance to put her belt up and show my weakness,” ‘Cyborg’ wrote on Twitter.
Anderson is currently on a four-fight winning streak in the Invicta FC promotion, has an 8-2 overall record, and had been seen as an obvious acquisition for the UFC if they were looking to start adding new fighters to their 145lb roster.
