Zuffa President Dana White: Cris Cyborg Stripped of Title, Future of Division in Question.
California State Athletic Commission Suspends License of Fighter Cristiane Justino Santos - a.k.a. Cris Cyborg
Mixed Martial Arts fighter tested positive for anabolic steroid in December 16, 2011 test
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2012
January 6, 2012
Santos' December 16, 2011 drug test came back positive for stanozolol metabolites. CSAC learned of the test results December 23, 2011 and suspended Santos's license, with the suspension applied retroactively to December 16, 2011. In accordance with Rule 368, the result of her last fight between Hiroko Yamanaka will be changed to a "No Decision".
"Our primary concern is for the health and safety of fighters," said CSAC Executive Officer George Dodd. "Anabolic agents and other banned substances put not only the users of those agents at risk, but their opponents as well. The commission simply will not tolerate their use."
The use of certain substances, including anabolic steroids, is prohibited under the Commission's regulations, and CSAC has among the toughest drug testing standards of any Athletic Commission in the country. It is the only commission that requires urine samples to be taken in the presence of a commission representative prior to a bout.
Santos's provision of a urine sample was observed by a CSAC representative and the sample was sent to the World Anti-doping Agency test facility at the University of California, Los Angeles. Santos has the right to appeal the suspension of her license.
By Michael David Smith
Cris Cyborg is no longer the champion of the Strikeforce women's 145-pound division. And there may not even be a Strikeforce women's 145-pound division.
UFC President Dana White confirmed on ESPN 1100 in Las Vegas on Friday night that Cyborg has been stripped of her title because she tested positive for steroids following her most recent fight, a 16-second knockout of Hiroko Yamanaka. And there may not be any more fights in the 145-pound weight class because Cyborg was the 145-pound weight class.
"We were going to hold that division and just do fights with 'Cyborg' whenever there was a new contender," White said, via USA Today. "She's getting stripped of the title. I don't know. We'll see what happens."
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker also issued a statement on the situation.
"Strikeforce has not seen the test results regarding Ms. Santos," Coker said. "However, we have a consistent and strong stance against any use of performance-enhancing drugs. We also have a long history of supporting effective drug testing of athletes by authorized regulatory bodies. Therefore, we will closely monitor the matter and will work with the California State Athletic Commission regarding any information we may be asked to provide. We also recognize that Ms. Santos has administrative process rights under California law and we hope that she is not prejudged before she has the opportunity to exercise such rights."
In the past, when champions have been suspended for positive drug tests, the division carried on without them, usually with a title fight between two top contenders while the previous champion sat out. But the Strikeforce women's 145-pound weight class is fundamentally different. Cyborg dominates her entire weight class in a way that no other champion, male or female, does. There just aren't enough good 145-pound women on the Strikeforce roster for the division to keep going without her.
And so Cyborg's drug test has cost her the belt. And no one else may ever get the belt.
UFC President Dana White confirmed on ESPN 1100 in Las Vegas on Friday night that Cyborg has been stripped of her title because she tested positive for steroids following her most recent fight, a 16-second knockout of Hiroko Yamanaka. And there may not be any more fights in the 145-pound weight class because Cyborg was the 145-pound weight class.
"We were going to hold that division and just do fights with 'Cyborg' whenever there was a new contender," White said, via USA Today. "She's getting stripped of the title. I don't know. We'll see what happens."
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker also issued a statement on the situation.
"Strikeforce has not seen the test results regarding Ms. Santos," Coker said. "However, we have a consistent and strong stance against any use of performance-enhancing drugs. We also have a long history of supporting effective drug testing of athletes by authorized regulatory bodies. Therefore, we will closely monitor the matter and will work with the California State Athletic Commission regarding any information we may be asked to provide. We also recognize that Ms. Santos has administrative process rights under California law and we hope that she is not prejudged before she has the opportunity to exercise such rights."
In the past, when champions have been suspended for positive drug tests, the division carried on without them, usually with a title fight between two top contenders while the previous champion sat out. But the Strikeforce women's 145-pound weight class is fundamentally different. Cyborg dominates her entire weight class in a way that no other champion, male or female, does. There just aren't enough good 145-pound women on the Strikeforce roster for the division to keep going without her.
And so Cyborg's drug test has cost her the belt. And no one else may ever get the belt.
Will Ronda Rousey or Meisha Tate Take Santos' belt?
Cris Cyborg cites dietary aid as cause of positive test for PEDs
8 hours ago | source: mmaprime.tv
“I am ultimately responsible for everything I put in my body, and at the end of the day, there is no excuse for having a prohibited substance in my system. I do not condone the use of any performance enhancing drugs by myself or any other professional athlete, and willingly accept the penalties and fines that have been handed down to me by the California State Athletic Commission and those of the StrikeForce/Zuffa organization.
“While I was preparing myself for my last fight I was having a difficult time cutting weight and used a dietary supplement that I was assured was safe and not prohibited from use in sports competition. It was never my intention to obtain an unfair advantage over Hiroko, mislead StrikeForce, the Commission or my fans. I train harder than any fighter in MMA and do not need drugs to win in the cage, and I have proven this time and time again! My only mistake is not verifying the diet aid with my doctor beforehand, and understanding that it was not approved for use in the ring.
“Unfortunately in the end I suffer the consequences and must accept the responsibility for my actions.”
“I will do everything I can to show my fans that I can still compete at the professional level without the use of any prohibited substances, and ask God’s forgiveness for my mistake."
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