Cynthia Calvillo claims that Body Armor dropped her as a sponsor as a result of her drug-test failure for marijuana at UFC 219. Calvillo is serving a 6 month suspension from USADA and was given an additional 3 months from the Nevada Athletic Commission for the infraction.
In an interview Monday on The MMA Hour, Calvillo admitted to the use of marijuana which led to a drug test failure after her loss to Carla Esparza. Calvillo was doled a 6-month suspension by USADA for a test that was over the allowable limit for marijuana and its metabolites. However, the Nevada Athletic Commission gave her a 9-month suspension and fined her 15% of her fight earnings from December’s bout.
Calvillo stated in her interview that she was told that her usage on Christmas Eve prior to her December 30th fight would be fine. Calvillo holds a medicinal marijuana card. In California, where she resides, marijuana use is legal for medicinal and recreational purposes. However, it is still a banned substance per the UFC Anti-Doping Policy guidelines and the Nevada Athletic Commission.
She believes that her sponsorship with Body Armor was rescinded due to the suspension.
Payout Perspective:
Calvillo’s loss of a sponsorship is unfortunate for the budding star. It shows that there are companies that may be conservative with the people it chooses to represent it in public. Notably, Kobe Bryant, the former NBA star was on trial for sexual assault, is a big investor in the company. Yet, many companies have moral clauses which they may sever a sponsorship due to infractions like this. Thus, its upon Calvillo to ensure that she does not get into any issues like failing a drug test.
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