UFC veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is in trouble with USADA after he tested positive a banned diuretic following an out-of-competition test, which was taken last month.
As a result, Nogueira has now been removed from his upcoming fight with Jared Cannonier at UFC On FOX 26 in December.
The 41-year-old Brazilian has since issued a statement protesting his innocence.
“I am here to try to clarify because we do not yet have all the explanations, but from now on we will investigate this situation in depth,” Nogueira wrote. “I have told all of you that I am confident in my defense and we will find out what happened.
“I have never needed to take a diuretic and everyone who accompanies me mainly my coaches know that I never had any difficulties to lose weight and this is the function of the diuretic,” Nogueira continued. “As soon as the UFC schedules my fight I will start a process of diet and training precisely so that at the end of my camp I won’t suffer with weight loss.
“It is very difficult going through this for me as I have always been honest and especially with my work which I have dedicated myself and continue to dedicate myself as it’s my passion. Because of this unfortunately my fight was canceled and I was very sad about it all but I hope as soon as possible to clarify this misunderstanding and give you all a spectacular fight.”
Nogueira was coming of a TKO loss to Ryan Bader last November at UFC Fight Night 100, which had marked his third loss in his last four fights.
It’s believed the UFC are now actively trying to find a replacement fighter to keep Cannonier on the UFC On FOX 26 card, and given that there’s still a couple of months to go until the event that shouldn’t be too difficult.
