Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ gets 2 year suspension from USADA for HGH

Mirko Filipovic

Now-retired UFC heavyweight Mirko Filipovic has received a two-year suspension from UFC anti-doping partner USADA for the use of human growth hormone prior to his canceled fight with Anthony Hamilton at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 79.

USADA announced the disciplinary action against the former PRIDE champ two weeks after he withdrew from his co-headliner and suddenly announced his retirement from MMA. What he said behind the scenes led to his suspension.

“Filipovic admitted to the use, attempted use, and possession of human growth hormone following an out-of-competition test conducted on November 4, 2015 in Zagreb, Croatia,” read USADA’s statement. “On the day he was tested, prior to any results being reported, Filipovic contacted the UFC to advise them that he had been using hGH in violation of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. Thereafter, on November 9, 2015, Filipovic admitted to USADA as well that he had been using the prohibited substance.”

USADA, handles all drug testing for the industry-leader in addition to results management, added that Filipovic’s (31-11-2 MMA, 5-6 UFC) admission of HGH use kept him from a four-year sentence “as permitted under the UFC anti-doping policy where aggravating circumstances are present.”

Additionally, he has been “disqualified” from “all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to October 30, 2015” and forfeits “any title, ranking, purse or other compensation,” though he did not compete at UFC Fight Night 79, which takes place at Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul and streams on UFC Fight Pass.

Filipovic did not mention his admission to the UFC and USADA when announcing his retirement, but curiously admitted to using “various cocktails of drugs” to repair a shoulder injury that jeopardized his fight.

In a subsequent statement the UFC announced Filipovic was “provisionally suspended” pending USADA’s adjudication of the matter, “Cro Cop” admitted to using “a little mix of growth hormone,” but steadfastly denied an attempt to gain an unfair advantage in the fight.

“This calling out and suspensions have no meaning anymore, but I do understand the UFC; I get it,” he wrote. “They just want to defend themselves. Now it will come out that I was taking illegal substances or doping or something, but it is not like that.”

Filipovic’s two-year ineligibility begins Nov. 9, 2015, or the date USADA said he admitted to HGH use. But with the MMA star now retired, the punishment strikes more to the heart of his legacy in the sport than his career.

“Ultimately, our goals are to keep the Octagon clean and to protect the rights of clean athletes within the UFC,” stated USADA CEO Travis Tygart in a press release. “Not only do athletes need to consider their health and safety when it comes to the use of prohibited substances, but also the damage that such use can inflict on their own legacy.”

In a statement posted to the UFC’s website, the promotion recognized Filipovic’s suspension.

“UFC appreciates Cro Cop’s disclosure and admission of usage of a prohibited substance, and supports the issuance of necessary sanctions to maintain a clean sport,” the statement read. “‘Cro Cop’ has subsequently announced his retirement from the sport after a storied career. UFC recognizes his accomplishments in the sport of mixed martial arts and wishes him well in future endeavors.”

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