UFC bantamweight Andre Ewell
has received a public warning from USADA after testing positive for
ostarine in an out-of-competition urine sample collected on Oct.
15.
After the anti-doping violation, Ewell provided a sealed container
of a supplement he was using prior to the positive test, and
analysis of the product revealed a “low level” of ostarine. USADA
then determined that the level of ostarine in the supplement was
not enough to have given Ewell any performance enhancing
benefits.
Ewell, 32, is coming off a 20202 campaign in which he earned a pair
of split-decision victories over Irwin
Rivera and Jonathan
Martinez. The 32-year-old Apex MMA product is 4-2 during his
promotional tenure and 17-6 as a professional overall.
The full USADA statement regarding Ewell’s case is as follows:
USADA announced today that Andre Ewell, of Perris, Calif., has
received a public warning for a violation of the UFC® Anti-Doping
Policy.
Ewell, 32, tested positive for ostarine as the result of a urine
sample collected out-of-competition on October 15, 2020. Ostarine
is a non-Specified Substance in the class of Anabolic Agents and is
prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and UFC
Prohibited List.
Following notification of his positive test, Ewell provided a
sealed container of a dietary supplement he was using prior to his
positive test for analysis at a WADA-accredited laboratory.
Although no prohibited substances were listed on the supplement
label, the analysis revealed a low level of ostarine in the
product. Because the product was not a Certified Supplement,
Ewell faces a violation.
This case was resolved under the revised UFC Anti-Doping Policy
announced on January 14, 2021. Under the revised Policy, USADA may
consider in the resolution of the case – along with other factors –
whether an athlete’s exposure to a prohibited substance had or
likely had a performance enhancing benefit. Based on the specific
circumstances of the case, USADA determined that Ewell’s exposure
to ostarine from the supplement product was not consistent with a
dosage that would have a performance enhancing benefit.
Ostarine, also known as MK-2866 and Enobosarm, is a selective
androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that is illegally sold
worldwide as a performance-enhancing substance. Ostarine is not
currently available as a prescription medication in any country,
and its unauthorized use may carry serious side effects. Ostarine
has commonly been found as a declared and undeclared ingredient in
many dietary supplements. More information about the risks of
ostarine can be found through a USADA athlete
advisory.