CSAC: Cris Cyborg Suspended for Anabolic Steroid Use

Santos, 26, tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol, also known as Winstrol, in a drug test taken the day prior to her successful Dec. 17 title defense against Hiroko Yamanaka in San Diego, the CSAC said in a release issued Friday.

“Santos’ 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,” stated the CSAC, which learned of the positive test on Dec. 23.

In addition to the one-year suspension, retroactive to Dec. 16, the Brazilian fighter was fined $2,500 and the result of her bout with Yamanaka has been changed to a “no decision.” The title fight, which co-headlined Strikeforce “Melendez vs. Masvidal” on Showtime, lasted only 16 seconds as Santos demolished her Japanese challenger with punches.

“Our primary concern is for the health and safety of fighters,” CSAC Executive Officer George Dodd said in a statement. “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 wife of welterweight Evangelista Santos, Cyborg has been untouchable in her Strikeforce run, running through opponents such as Gina Carano and Marloes Coenen en route to becoming the world’s top pound-for-pound female fighter. The Curitiba native’s fight with Yamanaka was her first in 18 months, a layoff due in large part to contractual disputes and a lack of quality opponents.

Santos has the right to appeal her suspension.