Neil Magny: Failed USADA Test Led to Withdrawal from UFC Rochester

A potential USADA anti-doping violation forced Neil Magny’s withdrawal from the UFC Rochester co-main event.

The veteran welterweight released a statement on his exit via Instagram on Tuesday. Magny was replaced by Derrick Krantz, who will face Vicente Luque on Saturday at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, N.Y.

“Throughout my MMA career I have been very transparent. I am not afraid to admit when I am in the wrong,” Magny wrote. “On Saturday, May 11, 2019, I received an email from USADA stating that I have been flagged due to an ‘out of competition drug test.’ The flag was due to a metabolite of the substance ‘Di-Hydroxy-LGD-4033.’ I have fully cooperated with USADA thus far to determine how this substance was found in the sample I provided them on May 5, 2019.

“I have always been an advocate for the strict drug testing in the UFC, even to the extent of opting for my collected samples to be used for research purposes by USADA. I know without a doubt that I have done everything according to the standards set by USADA. I have faith in USADA that this situation will resolved in a timely manner and that I will be cleared of any wrong doing.”

Magny last competed at UFC Fight Night 140 this past November, when he had a two-fight winning streak halted in a four-round knockout loss to Santiago Ponzinibbio. The 31-year-old is 14-6 over the course of his Octagon tenure.

View this post on Instagram

As many of you know, I had to withdraw from my sceduled bout against Vicente Luque on Saturday, May 18th. I want to apologize to him, as I know how difficult it is to lose an opponent days out from a fight. Throughout my MMA career I have been very transparent. I am not afraid to admit when I am in the wrong. On Saturday, May 11, 2019, I recieved an email from USADA stating that I have been flagged due to an “out of competition drug test”. The flag was due to a metabolite of the substance “Di-Hydroxy-LGD-4033”. I have fully cooperated with USADA thus far to determine how this substance was found in the sample I provided them on May 5, 2019. I have always been an advocate for the strict drug testing in the UFC, even to the extent of opting for my collected samples to be used for research purposes by USADA. I know without a doubt that I have done everything according to the standards set by USADA. I have faith in USADA that this situation will resolved in a timely manner and that I will be cleared of any wrong doing. To all of my fans and supporters, thank you. I assure you that I have not let you down.

A post shared by Neil Magny (@neil_magny170) on May 14, 2019 at 3:23pm PDT