UFC welterweight Viscardi Andrade tests positive for steroids, receives 2-year ban

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which partners with the UFC, today announced a two-year suspension for welterweight Viscardi Andrade, who tested positive for steroids after his most recent bout, a decision win over Richard Walsh at UFC Fight Night 85.

An out-of-competition test conducted March 7 revealed the presence of the banned steroid stanozolol and its metabolites, according to a statement released on USADA’s website.

Andrade’s test took place 12 days prior to his fight, but according to a release from the UFC, he wasn’t notified of his potential anti-doping violation until April 12. USADA’s statement doesn’t clarify when his test results came back, noting only that his period of ineligibility began March 20, the day after the FS1-televised event.

Three months after UFC Fight Night 85, the lab in Rio de Janeiro where Andrade’s urine sample was processed lost its WADA accreditation for failing to adhere to international drug testing standards, though it was reinstated one month later. It’s unknown whether the testing issue affected Andrade’s case.

Because Andrade (19-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC) fought and defeated Walsh (9-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC), USADA said it has forwarded all information about his case to the UFC to decide whether or not to overturn his win.

“Per the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, an Anti-Doping Policy Violation occurring during, or in connection with, a bout may, upon the decision of UFC, lead to disqualification of all the athlete’s results obtained in that bout,” the statement read.

Andrade, a veteran of “The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 2,” had picked up back-to-back wins by outpointing Walsh. He is still subject to drug testing during his suspension. He has yet to comment on USADA’s ruling.

USADA’s full statement is below:

“USADA announced today that UFC® athlete, Viscardi Andrade, of Sao Paulo, Brazil, received a two-year sanction, pursuant to the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, after testing positive for a prohibited substance.

“Andrade, 33, tested positive for stanozolol and its metabolites, 16ß-hydroxy-stanozolol and 3’-hydroxy-stanozolol, following an out-of-competition urine test conducted on March 7, 2016. Stanozolol is a non-Specified Substance in the category of Anabolic Agents and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

“Andrade’s two-year period of ineligibility began on March 20, 2016, the day after his most recent bout, a victory, at the UFC Fight Night event in Brisbane, Australia, on March 19, 2016. Per the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, an Anti-Doping Policy Violation occurring during, or in connection with, a bout may, upon the decision of UFC, lead to disqualification of all the athlete’s results obtained in that bout. Here, because Andrade’s violation resulted from a sample collection that occurred prior to his bout, all information surrounding Andrade’s positive test and sanction has been provided to UFC to make the determination concerning his competition results.

“Pursuant to the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, all UFC athletes serving a period of ineligibility for an anti-doping policy violation are required to remain in the USADA registered testing pool and make themselves available for testing in order to receive credit for time served under his or her sanction. Furthermore, if an athlete retires during his or her period of ineligibility, the athlete’s sanction will be tolled until such time the athlete notifies USADA of his or her return from retirement and once again makes him or herself available for no-advance-notice, out-of-competition testing.

“USADA conducts the year-round, independent anti-doping program for all UFC athletes. USADA is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental agency whose sole mission is to preserve the integrity of competition, inspire true sport, and protect the rights of clean athletes. In an effort to aid UFC athletes, as well as their support team members, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on the UFC Anti-Doping Program website (UFC.USADA.org) regarding the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. In addition, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, Drug Reference Online (UFC.GlobaDRO.com), conducts educational sessions, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, and periodic athlete alerts.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 85, check out the UFC Events section of the site.