It’s been announced today that Brazilian fighter Rony ‘Jason’ Mariano Bezerra has today been suspended from the sport for nine months after he tested positive for the diuretic, Hydrochlorothiazide after his most recent victory in the Octagon.
The substance is not in itself considered a performance enhancing drug, but it is commonly used as a masking agent to hide the use of other illegal drugs.
‘Jason’ defeated Damon Jackson via a first round triangle choke submission at UFC Fight Night 67 in Brazil at the end of last month, but the result will now be amended to a no-contest ruling.
The 31 year-old first came to light as the first winner of TUF: Brazil and compiled a three-fight winning streak to start his run in the UFC.
He’s experienced mixed fortunes since then though with losses to Jeremy Stephens and Robbie Peralta sandwiched between a win over Steven Siler prior to his last fight with Jackson.
Speaking to MMAfighting, ‘Jason’ has protested his innocence regarding his positive drug test.
“I’m talking to my nutritionist and UFC doctors,” Jason claimed. “The only thing I used on the day of the weigh-in was vitamin C, so we’re checking if any of the medication I used for my ankle injury has something to do with it.”
