A four-month suspension has been handed down to UFC women’s flyweight Priscila Cachoeira.
Following her withdrawal from UFC Sao Paulo earlier this year, women’s flyweight Priscila Cachoeira (8-3) has accepted a four-month sanction from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), who oversee the UFC’s anti-doping program. USADA announced the news Wednesday via press release, although Cachoeira had previously revealed that a positive test was the reason behind her absence from the card.
Cachoeira was found to have tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and its metabolites chlorothiazide and 4amino-6chloro-1,3-benzenedisulfonamide (ACB) after an out-of-competition urine sample was collected on October 12, 2019. The substance is commonly used as a diuretic.
Speaking to MMA Fighting last month, Brazil’s Cachoeira said that “My mother, who also has high blood pressure, saw me ill, so she gave me the medicine she usually takes. I had no idea what she was giving me. I wasn’t even thinking about USADA, I just wanted to get better. She has no idea what USADA does.”
USADA essentially confirmed that narrative in their press release, noting that “Cachoeira provided evidence that the prohibited substance detected in her sample was from a blood pressure medication given to her by her parent in response to symptoms she was experiencing.”
Given Cachoeira’s suspension is backdated to October 12, 2019, it won’t be long before she’s eligible to compete again. When she does, she’ll be looking to snap a three fight losing streak that has left her 0-3 inside the octagon.
