UFC Middleweight Contender Yoel Romero Notified of Potential Anti-Doping Violation

The United States Anti-Doping Agency on Tuesday informed the UFC of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation by middleweight contender Yoel Romero. The potential violation stems from a recent out-of-competition drug test. USADA is the official administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Program.

Romero most recently fought at UFC 194 in December, where he won a split-decision victory over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. It was his seventh consecutive victory, and put him in position for title shot consideration.

Should he be found guilty of an anti-doping violation, however, Romero will fall well down the list of potential middleweight challengers.

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Following the public revelation of Romero’s potential infraction, he quickly became a prime target for other fighters on social media.

@YoelRomeroMMA grabbing the cage, kicks to the groin, long breaks between rounds, PEDs, not sure if there are any ways left for you to cheat

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 13, 2016

So Yoel tests positive, not surprised at all #roider of God is a cheating scumbag, @TimKennedyMMA I feel ur pain having been there before — michael (@bisping) January 13, 2016

The UFC released the following statement upon receiving notice of Romero’s potential violation:

The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed Yoel Romero of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection.

USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Romero. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.