USADA arbitrator gives UFC's Felipe Olivieri 2-year suspension for testosterone metabolites

Felipe Olivieri

An arbitrator for UFC anti-doping partner USADA has handed lightweight Felipe Olivieri a two-year suspension following his appeal of a positive test, USADA announced today on its website.

Olivieri (14-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC), a Nova Uniao product who was submitted by Tony Martin in his promotional debut at UFC on FOX 18, attacked the chain of custody and competency of the WADA-accredited lab that found methyltestosterone metabolites 5a-tetrahydromethyltestosterone and 5ß–tetrahydromethyltestosterone in his urine prior to the bout. Methyltestosterone is considered a performance-enhancer and is banned at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

UFC on FOX 18 took place Jan. 30, 2016, at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The main card aired on FOX following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass, which carried Oliveiri’s loss to Martin as the event’s opening bout.

The arbitrator, McLaren Global Sports Solutions, Inc., said the Brazilian fighter “failed to establish that the sample chain of custody and analysis … had been compromised” and “did not present any mitigating evidence with respect to his level of fault during the appeal process.” Thus, he was given the standard two-year term for first-time doping offenses.

Olivieri, 31, began his period of ineligibility on March 10, 2016, the date of his provisional suspension, per USADA’s release.

“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,” the press release stated. “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.”

Olivieri’s loss and suspension comes on the heels of a three-fight winning streak on the international circuit. He has not commented on USADA’s decision.

USADA’s full statement reads:

“USADA announced today that an independent Arbitrator for McLaren Global Sports Solutions, Inc. (MGSS) has rendered a decision in the case of UFC® athlete, Felipe Olivieri, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and determined that Olivieri should receive a two-year period of ineligibility for his anti-doping policy violation.

“Following an out-of-competition urine test on January 11, 2016, Olivieri, 31, tested positive for the presence of 5a-tetrahydromethyltestosterone and 5ß–tetrahydromethyltestosterone, which are metabolites of methyltestosterone. Methyltestosterone is a non-specified substance in the class of Anabolic Agents and prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, the standard sanction for a policy violation involving a non-specified substance is a two-year period of ineligibility. If an athlete exercises his or her right to contest the imposition of the standard sanction, as Olivieri did, that case must be heard by independent arbitrators, per the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.

“Olivieri contested the asserted doping offense by arguing that the laboratory results for his urine sample should be disregarded based on alleged breaches of the chain of custody and an alleged lack of competency by the testing laboratory. In rejecting the athlete’s claims, the Arbitrator concluded that Olivieri failed to establish that the sample chain of custody and analysis, which was conducted by the WADA-accredited laboratory in Rio de Janeiro, had been compromised. Because Olivieri did not present any mitigating evidence with respect to his level of fault during the appeal process, the Arbitrator imposed the standard period of ineligibility for Olivieri’s doping offense.

“Olivieri’s two-year period of ineligibility began on March 10, 2016, the date of his provisional suspension.

“This decision, as well as other UFC Anti-Doping Policy arbitral decisions, can be found here.

“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 (www.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 (www.ufc.globaldro.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 on FOX 18, check out the UFC Events section of the site.