UFC bantamweight Ning Guangyou did not receive a sanction for a positive drug test. Guangyou tested positive for trace amounts of clenbuterol but USADA deemed that he ingested it without fault or negligence.
According to the USADA report, the positive test is a result of an out-of-competition test back in May. Clenbuterol was found in his sample. It is an anabolic agent prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. However, as the report states, “the illicit administration of clenbuterol to animals destined for food production can result in, under specific conditions, a positive sample from an athlete.”
After review of Guangyou’s whereabouts, dietary habits and the lab reports, it was deemed that it was likely that he consumed contaminated meat in China.
The UFC issued a statement on its web site, a portion of it reads:
In late July, UFC was made aware of USADA’s investigation into the source of the prohibited substance clenbuterol in an out of competition sample collected from Ning Guangyou. Given it was initially unclear as to the timing of the resolution of the investigation, UFC made the decision to move Guangyou’s scheduled bout against Marlon Vera on August 20, 2016 at UFC 202 to UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Condit in Vancouver, BC on August 27, 2016.
Payout Perspective:
The good news is that this case was determined ahead of Guangyou’s fight so he did not lose out on a payday when there was a possibility that he may not be at fault. The investigation shows that USADA is making an effort to ensure that positive tests reflect infractions rather than no-fault positive tests. We have seen this with the finding of Meldonium in tests from UFC fighters. From a business perspective, the investigations as well as the increase in tests this year will mean more investment into the UFC Anti-Doping policy.
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