UFC welterweight Elizeu Zaleski has been hit with a one year suspension by USADA, after testing positive for Ostarine earlier this year.
In a lengthy statement provided to MMA Fighting, who first reported the news, the Brazilian’s manager, Tiago Okamura, revealed that Zaleski (23-7) had tested positive in an out-of-competition drug test for ostarine, a SARM (selective androgen receptor modulator).
Ostarine is a common component in contaminated supplements, and Zaleski’s team believes the positive test stems from just that. However, after co-operating with USADA and identifying a possible culprit in the form of a Brazilian pharmacy, lack of co-operation from said pharmacy has left Zaleski facing a full one year ban from MMA.
“After a few weeks, we had the news we were hoping for, in one of the compound supplements traces of ostarine were found. At that moment we were relieved, expecting that the positive result was all we needed to clear Elizeu out of this situation,” Okamura wrote in his statement. “But unfortunately, that was not the case. After the result, USADA contacted the pharmacy, Elizeu, and the doctor who had prescribed the compound supplements.”
“The talks with Elizeu and the doctor went as expected but the pharmacy denied compounding ostarine and later questioned the tested sample and even the packaging it was sent to the lab in,” he continued. “With the pharmacy denying the results and the fact they mixed ostarine we came to a standstill, Elizeu’s and the doctor’s word against the pharmacy’s word. Unfortunately, there is no reason for the pharmacy to admit their mistake to USADA since they have no jurisdiction over any Brazilian pharmacy and especially because ostarine is no longer a legal substance and its compounding has been prohibited by ANVISA (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency).”
The positive test forced Zaleski out of his April date with Mounir Lazzez, and he will not be eligible to return to competition until April of 2023.
