Independent Arbitrator Imposes Four-Year
Sanction on Chi Lewis-Parry for UFC Anti-Doping Policy Violations
https://t.co/Yj5PAUFJiN— USADA (@usantidoping)
December 4, 2020
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your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the
ESPN app. A massive heavyweight and one-time prospective
Ultimate Fighting Championship signee has been issued a lengthy
suspension after an arbitration process. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency
announced on Friday that Chi
Lewis-Parry (9-0-2, 2 NC) has been suspended for four years for
failing multiple out-of-competition tests as well as providing
false evidence to the agency. Due to his numerous violations, an
independent arbitration body ruled that Lewis-Parry should be
suspended for four years from competition. Lewis-Parry was briefly
part of the USADA pool under the UFC, and he was released from the
promotion following his failed tests on Sept. 12 and Sept. 19 in
2019.
The substances that Lewis-Parry tested positive for include
metabolites of drostanolone, stanozolol and
dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (DHCMT) – all anabolic steroids.
When joining the USADA pool, the agency allows for athletes to
declare that they have used banned substances in the past, which
allows them to avoid a ban but keep them out of competition until
they pass tests. Lewis-Parry did not state that he was using any of
these substances; in addition to this, the 37-year-old submitted a
modified supplement to falsely claim that his tests were the result
of tainted supplements.
The agency and the independent arbitrator dropped the proverbial
hammer on Lewis-Parry with the four-year ban, claiming that this
length was necessary due to aggravating circumstances to force the
maximum time allotment. Lewis-Parry will not be allowed to compete
under any USADA or WADA-governed organization for a four-year
period that began on Nov. 1, 2019. Other organizations that do not
adhere to USADA guidelines or do not offer the same stringent drug
testing protocols may still allow him to fight in MMA.
Lewis-Parry never competed under the UFC banner, but he did fight
for One Championship in two bouts in 2014. In
addition to his time in One, “Chopper” made the walk five times
with Glory kickboxing, winning four by knockout each time.
The six-foot-nine striker last set foot in the cage in September,
where he demolished Fabio
Maldonado in 68 seconds with elbow strikes. The Brit posts a
100 percent finish rate, although he holds two draws and two bouts
were overturned to no contests due to illegal strikes.
Part of
USADA’s statement regarding Lewis-Parry’s suspension can be
read as follows:
“USADA announced today that an independent arbitrator has
rendered a decision in the case of former UFC® athlete Chi
Lewis-Parry, of Surrey, United Kingdom, and determined that
Lewis-Parry should receive a four-year period of ineligibility for
anti-doping policy violations that he committed while he was in the
UFC program. This decision comes after the facts of the case were
presented and fully argued at an evidentiary hearing on November
10, 2020.
“Lewis-Parry, 37, tested positive for the following substances
[Drostanolone, Stanozolol and metabolites of
dehydrochloromethyltestosterone] as the result of
out-of-competition tests on September 12, 2019 and September 19,
2019.
“Upon being added to the UFC Anti-Doping Program, athletes are
required to declare prohibited substances they have used in the
previous 12 months. An athlete who makes such declaration will not
be deemed to have committed a violation but, depending on the
substance, may be required to refrain from competition for a period
of at least six months and provide at least two negative samples.
Lewis-Parry did not declare the use of drostanolone, stanozolol, or
DHCMT on his onboarding declaration forms. Subsequent to his
positive tests but before competing in any UFC bout, Lewis-Parry
was released from the program.
“In its investigation into the circumstances of the case, USADA
also discovered that Lewis-Parry presented falsified evidence,
specifically an adulterated supplement, to USADA and the arbitrator
in support of the athlete’s claims that the prohibited substances
had originated from a contaminated supplement.
“Lewis-Parry’s four-year period of ineligibility began on November
1, 2019, the date on which he was provisionally suspended from
competition. The arbitrator’s decision can be found here,
along with all other UFC Anti-Doping Policy arbitral
decisions.”
