Another day, another UFC fighter getting flagged for an anti-doping violation, and this time it’s bantamweight fighter Francisco Rivera.
Rivera is reported to have tested positive for Clenbuterol, a performance enhancing drug on USADA’s banned list, and that leaves the 34 year-old facing a potential two-year ban from the sport.
If so, that could be the final nail in the coffin for Rivera’s UFC career as he’s already clinging onto a spot on the roster by his fingernails after suffering a dismal run of form in the Octagon that’s seen him lose five of his last six fights, including a recent decision loss to Erik Perez at UFC 201 last month.
However, all hope is not for lost for Rivera, who told MMAfighting.com today that he believes he may have tested positive for the PED due to having eaten tainted meat during a recent vacation to Mexico.
That may seem trivial, but it could actually prove to be a solid defense, as it’s been known for several years that both Mexico and China have a “serious problem” with contaminated meat.
Indeed, just a few days ago, fellow UFC fighter Ning Guangyou escaped without punishment from USADA after they concluded that he too had unknowingly taken Clenbuterol due to eating tainted meat.
