The UFC has granted Augusto Mendes his release according to MMA Fighting. Mendes was flagged back in March for a potential UFC anti-doping violation. Mendes has signed with Absolute Championship Berkut of Russia.
Mendes claimed that he would appeal the drug test administered by USADA. However, with one fight left on his UFC deal, he is no longer with promotion.
It is not clear whether he will compete before his USADA case is resolved.
Payout Perspective:
This signing has gone under the radar and may be something to track considering if ACB decides to honor the potential suspension. One might infer that they will not considering the signing during this time. Moreover, the UFC’s willingness to let him out of his contract may mean that it will no longer pursue disciplinary action against him but place the burden on other regulatory bodies to decide. This is a similar situation to the Cro Cop/Bellator issue where a fighter finds alternative ways around the USADA suspension. We will see what happens and if going to an organization that does not honor an anti-doping violation in another promotion, this may be a strategy by some that will look to circumvent the process.
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