Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino looked on-course to be hit with a lengthy suspension from the sport after she failed a drug test earlier this year, but UFC President Dana White has now hinted that’s no longer the case.
“We did this thing (created the 145-pound division) because Cyborg was freaking out and didn’t want to make 135 or 140. So we pulled the trigger,” White said on ESPN’s Five Rounds podcast. “Then the stuff goes down with her and USADA, which is looking really good now by the way.”
Since news of her latest test failure emerged, ‘Cyborg’ has protested her innocence, stating that the diuretic she tested positive for was prescribed by her doctor to treat issues stemming from a tough weight cut she endured in her last UFC fight.
She is now in the process of applying for a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption, and White seems to be implying that all the pieces are falling into place for that to be granted, enabling her to avoid a potential year-long suspension.
“Apparently, the three things that she has is what this medicine is used for, so it’s looking really good. It was looking bad for a minute. Now it’s looking better. We’re in a good place. This fight (Holm vs. de Randamie) is going to happen, and I truly believe whoever wins this title on Saturday night will fight Cyborg for the title.
“The drug that she’s taking, she should have immediately let USADA know about it, but it’s legit. She legitimately has these three separate issues and that’s what that drug is used for and the doctors are saying it. It’s looking good for her.”
