Ion Cutelaba recently accepted a six-month suspension from USADA for an anti-doping violation, but the UFC light heavyweight is denying that he knowingly cheated.
“I accepted the suspension from USADA for [six] months, and after May 3 I can participate,” Cutelaba wrote Sunday on Instagram. “I did not show anything positive. I’m an honest athlete! Now we’re looking for a fight! The Hulk is ready to fight again!
“I’m a true sportsman and have never cheated the rules, it’s been a long way to justice but now we’re here!”
Cutelaba was flagged for an anti-doping violation after admitting he underwent ozone therapy on paperwork associated with two out-of-competition drug tests conducted on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 of last year. His suspension is retroactive to Nov. 3. As a result, Cutelaba was pulled from a proposed bout with Michal Oleksiejczuk at UFC 217.
The 24-year-old Cirkunov is 2-2 in the Octagon since making his promotional debut in June 2016. He last appeared at UFC Fight Night 110 in June, when he scored a 22-second knockout of Henrique da Silva.
“I will be doing a statement soon explaining everything, but thank you all for your trust and support!” he wrote. “THE HULK IS BACK!”