Mendes suspended 2 years by USADA

USADA has handed UFC Featherweight Chad Mendes a 2 year suspension for violation of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.  It is the longest penalty issued by USADA since the policy was introduced last July.

Mendes admitted to his positive test but this did nothing to mitigate circumstances.  He was flagged in June for a May out-of-competition test.

Via UFC-USADA web site:

Mendes, 31, tested positive for GHRP-6 (Growth Hormone-Releasing Hexapeptide) following an out-of-competition urine test conducted on May 17, 2016. GHRP-6 is a prohibited substance in the class of Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

Payout Perspective:

While USADA has suspended other fighters for violations of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, this is the first official suspension pursuant to its standard sanctions.  A little over a year ago Mendes was in the company’s biggest event of the year against Conor McGregor.  He has no career for the next two years.  The penalty reflects the harshness of the new drug testing policy and should serve as notice for others.