Augusto Mendes was supposed to fight Merab Dvalishvili at UFC Fight Night Atlantic City, but now an infraction has caused that contest to be pulled from the card.
Mendes has been notified by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) about a potential violation, it stems from an out of competition sample collected on March 7.
Here is the full statement from the UFC on the matter:
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.
It is unknown at this time as to what substance Mendes has failed for or what punishment the fighter faces at this time. Mendes was also set to compete for the final time under his current deal at the event, it is unknown if the Brazilian will get that shot after the potential violantion.
The fighter would also issue a statement of his own through MMA Fighting to proclaim innocence against the potential USADA violation:
On Tuesday afternoon, on March 20, I was surprised by a notification from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informing me of a potential violation of their antidoping program in a test done on March 7. In more than 20 years in martial arts, I guarantee I’ve never used any prohibited substance to have an advantage over my opponents and enhance my performance. I’m innocent in this case and offer my help to the entity in any way possible to make sure this case is solved quickly and legally.
I haven’t changed anything in my supplementation routine in the last few months, respecting the antidoping policy that had me tested seven times last year and being approved in all tests. That’s why, and for my professional and personal stance, respecting the work done by USADA for the legitimacy of the MMA fighters, I inform that I will appeal every way I can to prove my innocence in this case, starting with asking for the B sample to be tested and testing, on my own, all the supplements I’ve used over the past few months.
I live the glories and feel the sour taste of the defeats that this sport gives. In 2016, because of a severe left knee injury, I was sidelined from sportive activities for a year, so I know the issues that a doping suspension can affect my career and I would never make the mistake to myself. Because of that, I was pulled from a fight with Mareb Dvalishvili, scheduled for UFC Fight Night 128 on April 21.
I want to thank the fans that wrote messages of support and trust in my social media, believing in a positive end to this case. To them, the UFC and Mareb Dvalishvili, I apologize for being out of the card, and I hope they can find a new opponent and they can put on a great fight.
See you all in the Octagon soon,
Thank you.
Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes
Dvalishvili is expected to remain on the card, as UFC officials are seeking a replacement fighter for him to compete against.
UFC Fight Night Atlantic City takes place on Saturday, April 21 from the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey with Edson Barboza and Kevin Lee headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on Fox Sports 1.
