Troubled Former UFC Fighter Diego Brandao Accepts 9-Month USADA Suspension

Former UFC fighter Diego Brandao on Thursday accepted a nine-month suspension from USADA due to a UFC Anti-Doping Policy infraction. The news was released by USADA.

“USADA announced today that Diego Brandao, of São Paulo, Brazil, tested positive for a prohibited substance and has accepted a nine-month sanction for his anti-doping policy violation,” read a prepared statement.

“Brandao, 28, tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a metabolite of marijuana and/or hashish, above the decision limit of 180 ng/mL, stemming from an in-competition sample collected on January 2, 2016 at UFC 195 in Las Vegas, Nev. Marijuana and hashish are in the class of Cannabinoids on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, and prohibited, in-competition, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.”

Although the suspension is coupled with the disqualification from all results on the date of or after the positive drug test, that did not affect his record, as Brandao lost to Brian Ortega via third-round submission at UFC 195.

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While the USADA suspension is for nine months, Brandao still has to go before the Nevada Athletic Commission for a disciplinary hearing resulting from the same failed test.

“Brandao accepted a nine-month period of ineligibility, which began on January 2, 2016, the date of sample collection; however, per the Policy, Brandao is eligible for an additional one-month reduction in sanction length pending the satisfactory completion of an approved anti-doping educational program. Further, Brandao’s positive test also falls under the jurisdiction of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, who may impose additional sanctions, including fines or a period of ineligibility that is longer than the period set forth above,” said USADA.

“As a result of the doping violation, Brandao has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved on and subsequent to January 2, 2016, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.”

Brandao was released from his UFC contract following a felony arrest on April 15 in Albuquerque, N.M. The arrest stems from an incident at a local strip club, where Brandao was charged with aggravated battery and three counts of aggravated assault in an encounter with the club’s staff, which included Brandao admittedly brandishing a weapon.

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