CABMMA responds to NSAC report on botched Jose Aldo drug test

Jose Aldo

The Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA) has responded to a statement from Drug Free Sport that claims a commission rep attempted to interfere with an out-of-competition drug test of UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo in connection with UFC 189.

In a written statement to MMAjunkie, Cristiano Sampaio, who was accused by DFS of halting the test by claiming that only CABMMA was authorized to perform it, criticized the third-party drug testing firm for commenting publicly on the incident on June 11 at the Nova Uniao gym in Rio de Janeiro.

“CABMMA has no intention on detailing the whole incident as Drug Free Sport (tried) to do so in its statement, as we feel that their image and credibility can be severely compromised if all facts were exposed,” wrote Sampaio. “Our entity does not agree with such unprofessionalism and the sport will not benefit from these comments.”

The NSAC, which hired DFS to test Aldo, this week released testing documentation that included a statement from DFS COO Chris Guinty on the UFC champ’s urine test, which initially was botched when a Brazilian police officer training at Aldo’s gym detained a DFS tester for allegedly not having the correct visa.

Aldo eventually was tested via urine on June 12 and came back negative for PEDs, but the incident stirred controversy in the MMA world and prompted Aldo’s originally scheduled UFC 189 opponent, Conor McGregor, to call the UFC champ and his coach “a weasel.”

Aldo later withdrew from the July 11 pay-per-view event with a rib injury, of which the severity was disputed between the fighter’s reps and the UFC. Three-time title challenger Chad Mendes (17-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) stepped in for Aldo (25-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and lost via third-round TKO to McGregor (18-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC).

Guinty admitted that DFS tester Ben Mosier’s visa was ultimately not the one correct one, but claimed Sampaio shut down a Brazilian doping control officer enlisted by Mosier to assist in the sample collection.

Sampaio said the visa problem was not CABMMA’s responsibility and said the commission acted properly.

“Regarding the visa and immigration problem Mr. Ben Moiser had, we suggest that Drug Free Sport should immediately contact the federal police in Brazil to discuss this issue since CABMMA had no jurisdiction and competence to interfere in such matter,” Sampaio wrote.

DFS declined to comment on Sampaio’s statement. Previously, the firm released a statement in the wake of the testing snafu that claimed Mosier had the correct visa to carry out the test.

“As to the process itself, we were contacted by Mr. Chris Guinty and (NSAC) Executive Director Bob Bennett on Thursday morning which both asked me personally by phone for CABMMA to promptly collect the athlete’s anti-doping test,” Sampaio wrote.

“CABMMA understands, that based on the circumstances, the process was done in the best and most appropriate way possible and believes that its conduct was ethical, safe and respectful to all parties involved.

“Finally, It is important to state that CABMMA is working along and committed to (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) and (the Brazilian Anti-Doping Authority), WADA-accredited agencies, to avoid incidents as these and guarantee golden standards for the in- and out-of-competition collection process, implementing in Brazil a structured and secure anti-doping policy for the sport of MMA.”

For complete coverage of UFC 189, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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