Brazil’s Bruno Arruda da Silva has been suspended for two-years from the UFC after a USADA arbitration opinion issued on Monday declared that Silva had tested positive for the banned substance of boldenone. Despite Silva’s defense that he was set to make his UFC debut on short notice and that the banned substance was ingested either erroneously through a tainted supplement or from tainted meat, the ruling denied the alibis.
The failed drug test occurred in lead-up to his anticipated debut in June 2019.
The arbitration hearing took place on May 27, 2020.
Boldenone is a non-specified substance in the class of anabolic agents. The drug has never been marketed which led to the conclusion by USADA that Silva had ingested it for an illicit purpose as one has to obtain it illegally. Boldenone is oftentimes used to increase muscle mass and strength. According to the USADA web site, it is not approved by the FDA for use in humans for any reason.
Silva provided several arguments for the contention that he had ingested boldenone. First, he argued that the positive finding could be the result of a tainted supplement. He had delivered his supplements for examination but indicated that since he had taken the fight on short notice, he may not have all the supplements he has taken.
Next, he claims that his urine samples taken by USADA were negative which he argued showed no continuous use and in extension would show that he inadvertently ingested the banned substance.
He also cited four cases which relate to his full cooperation in the investigation as a mitigating circumstance that he did not deliberately take the substance.
There is also the contention that tainted meat was the issue.
However, USADA sharply rebuked the offerings made by Silva.
#USADA gives sharp rebuke to Silva's alleged arguments why he was found with a banned substance in his system #UFC pic.twitter.com/5D8PQmXxh9
— Jason Cruz (@dilletaunt) June 22, 2020
Despite a statement made by Silva which the arbitrators found credible, the evidence did not support Silva’s contention and the 31 year-old will have to wait his chance to fight in the UFC.
The contention of meat contamination was a similar argument made by Francisco Rivera. In that instance, Rivera was found to have clenbuterol in his system that he claimed was a result of eating meat at a barbecue in Mexico. However, it was discovered that Rivera fabricated the story. The problem with Silva’s argument about a tainted supplement or tainted meat is that the way in which you must obtain Boldenone. It would seem that Silva believed that he had a case as he was willing to take this to arbitration or at least hope for a reduction of the sanction.
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