The USADA has notifed UFC bantamweight Francisco Rivera of a potential anti-doping violation, stemming from an out-of-competition sample taken on July 23.
UFC officials made an announcement on Wednesday regarding the potential violation.
"The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Francisco Rivera of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection on July 23, 2016.
"USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full fair legal review 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."
The UFC anti-doping policy typically calls for a two-year ban for the first violation.
Rivera (11-7) has had two stints on the UFC roster but finding success as of late has been a challenge. He has lost three straight fights and five of his past six. In his last outing, he lost to Erik Perez via unanimous decision at UFC 201 on July 30.
Rivera responded to the potential violation on Wednesday, tweeting "There's more to this story." He also released a statement to MMA Fighting through Iridium Sports management group that acknowledged he had tested positive for the steroid clenbuterol, but that Rivera believed the positive test came from eating tainted meat during a vacation in Mexico. Rivera returned from the trip just before he was tested.
Another UFC fighter successfully fought a similar recent test for clenbuterol. Ning Guangyou, who hails from China, tested positive for clenbuterol but received no sanctions because an investigation by the USADA determined he likely ingested the substance from eating tainted meat in his home country.
Rivera pointed out that he has passed every other USADA test that has been given to him previously, and that he intended to defend against the test.
Rivera also tested positive for a banned substance in 2012. and served a 90-day suspension for taking ephedra.
