Li Jinliang tested positive for a prohibited substance in a USADA test, but will not receive punishment from the agency.
The following statement was released in regard to the test.
“During its investigation into the circumstances that led to the positive test, USADA interviewed Jingliang and reviewed all available relevant evidence, including Jingliang’s whereabouts, dietary habits, and the laboratory reports demonstrating very low parts per billion concentrations of the prohibited substance in the athlete’s urine sample. USADA concluded that the presence of clenbuterol in the athlete’s sample very likely resulted from clenbuterol contaminated meat consumed in China. As a result, Jingliang will not face a period of ineligibility for his positive test. Furthermore, Jingliang’s competitive results from his bout on The Ultimate Fighter Finale card have not been disqualified because a sample collected in connection with that bout on July 8, 2016, by the Nevada State Athletic Commission was reported as negative.”
According to a UFC and USADA release, it was determined that Li tested positive for trace amounts of clenbuterol as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample from May 18. Clenbuterol is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
USADA concluded the presence of clenbuterol in Li’s urine very likely resulted from clenbuterol contaminated meat consumed in China and was ingested by him without fault or negligence. As a result, Li will not face a period of ineligibility for his positive test. Although USADA will not punish Li, the positive test also falls under the jurisdiction of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which could punish him separately.
Li is 11-4 in UFC. The 28 year old, Xinjiang, China native last fought on July 8 on The Ultimate Fighter 23 preliminary card. He beat Anton Zafir by knockout in the first round, with the fight lasting 2 minutes, 46 seconds.
