Second UFC 188 Fighter Fails Dope Test
It’s not been a great year for the UFC in terms of fighters failing drug tests, and it isn’t getting any better. After learning that Gilbert Melendez got popped by the dopers following his UFC 188 co-main event decision loss to Eddie Alvarez, it appears he wasn’t the only competitor on the Mexico-based card that was getting a little extra help from the testosterone fairy. Down in the Fight Pass section of the card was a lesser known welterweight named Augusto Montano, who took on Conor McGregor‘s team mate Cathal Pendred in a welterweight fight.
Montano lost the fight by unanimous decision, and received some flack for not engaging enough throughout the three rounder. The bad press isn’t over for the Mexican native ‘Dodger’ as the UFC has confirmed he will receive a year’s ban for having exogenous testosterone metabolites in his system:
“Following his bout at UFC 188 in Mexico City on June 13, UFC welterweight Augusto “Dodger” Montano tested positive for exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites. The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by our athletes. As a result of the positive test, Montano has accepted a one-year suspension, effective from the date of the bout, for violating the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC.”
Another one bites the dust, although nowhere near the level of notoriety of say Anderson Silva, it’s still a blot on the copybook of the biggest MMA organization in the world. Who’s next is anyone’s guess, but this was always going to be the case with stricter drug testing being implemented. Is this a sign of more fighters starting to dope, or simply more light being shed on an already rampant problem?
Dan Henderson thinks that fighters will start using much ‘smarter’ PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) soon enough, so perhaps the number of drug busts will magically start to dwindle down, but that could truly signal the end of the sport’s chances to be a top 3 sport. Montano had a six-fight/finish streak snapped by Pendred at UFC 188.
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