UFC strawweight Cynthia Calvillo is the latest fighter in hot water with USADA.
In a release late Wednesday, the UFC announced that it has received notification from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that Cynthia Calvillo has tested positive for levels of Carboxy-THC. Carboxy-THC is the main secondary metabolite of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive component of marijuana. The positive test was in conjunction with her bout at UFC 219. She lost her fight against Carla Esparza via unanimous decision at the event.
As per Wednesday’s release,
The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed Cynthia Calvillo of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation involving Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol (“Carboxy-THC”) which is a metabolite of marijuana and/or hashish, above the decision limit of 180 ng/mL, stemming from an in-competition sample collected in conjunction with her recent bout in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 30, 2017, UFC 219: Cyborg vs. Holm.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Calvillo, as it relates to the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and future UFC participation. Because the Nevada Athletic Commission was the regulatory body overseeing the fight in Las Vegas and has licensing jurisdiction over Calvillo, USADA will work to ensure that the Nevada Athletic Commission has the necessary information to determine its proper judgment of Calvillo’s potential anti-doping violation. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.
Per USADA, the standard sanction for Carboxy-THC, which is listed as a Specified Substance, is a suspension of one year. However, that time frame can be reduced dependent on certain factors, including the athlete’s degree of fault.
In May 2017, Kelvin Gastelum received a six month suspension for Carboxy-THC following his fight with Vitor Belfort. His win against Belfort at UFC Fortaleza was also overturned to a No Contest. As a first time offender, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Calvillo handed a similar suspension, but it will be some time before the process plays out.
