A dark cloud hangs over woman’s mixed martial arts today as news emerges that Strikeforce 145lb champion Cris ‘Cyborg’ Santos tested positive for Stanozolol Metabolites during a pre-fight drugs test on 16th December.
Cyborg will now be suspended for a full year from the date of the test, meaning she can’t fight again until December 16th, 2012.
The Brazilian fighter will also be fined $2,500 and her 16 second KO win over Hiroko Yamanaka at the event on December 17th has been amended to a ‘no decision’.
This news is a massive blow as Cyborg has become synonymous with the growth of woman’s MMA over the past few years, ruling the 145lb division with an iron fist during an impressive 10 fight unbeaten run.
Part of the reason her performances were so remarkable was due to the fact she seemed so much stronger, more powerful and physically imposing compared to her opponents, but the impact of those results will now forever be tarnished and it’s likely she’ll struggle to shake off the image of being the first major female MMA star to be caught using steroids.
The news will also be a major disappointment for Strikeforce who only recently signed Santos to a more lucrative deal and had plans to introduce her to the 135lb division in 2012 as they attempt to create a strong weight class and place more emphasis on woman’s MMA.
