The latest fighter in hot water with USADA is BJJ ace Augusto Mendes, and it couldn’t come at a worse time for ‘Tanquinho’ — who was expected to get back in the cage next month at UFC Fight Night 128 in Atlantic City.
Not so fast, ‘Tanquinho.’ Shortly after discussing his frustration at being out of action for so long, BJJ expert and UFC bantamweight Augusto Mendes has been pulled from his long-awaited return at UFC Atlantic City. That’s due to a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation, the UFC announced on Tuesday. Mendes was set to return to action at the Fight Night event next month after roughly a year away from the octagon. That means his bout with Merab Dvalishvili is off, though the promotion is currently looking for a replacement.
In its statement Tuesday, the UFC stated that:
The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Augusto Mendes of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on March 7, 2018. Due to the proximity of Mendes’ upcoming scheduled bout at UFC FIGHT NIGHT: BARBOZA vs. LEE in Atlantic City, New Jersey on April 21, 2018 against Merab Dvalishvili , Mendes has been removed from the card and the UFC is currently seeking a replacement.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Mendes. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.
Mendes (6-2) has had a rough go of things in the UFC so far. The grappling ace, who has earned multiple championships in Jiu-jitsu and even competed alongside girlfriend and fellow UFC fighter Mackenzie Dern in BJJ is 1-2 in his UFC run to date. However, he’s faced some tough competition in ex-champ Cody Garabrandt and the highly touted Aljamain Sterling. His lone win came against Frankie Saenz via split decision at UFC Fight Night 103.
Given the time it takes for the legal process to play out, don’t expect Mendes to be back any time soon.
UFC Fight Night 128, as UFC Atlantic City is officially known, takes place April 21 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.
