Juancamilo Ronderos Alvis Accepts Sanction
for Violation of UFC Anti-Doping Policy https://t.co/6NJOd8AVSF— USADA (@usantidoping)
July 29, 2021
Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on
your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the
ESPN app. When it rains, it pours for Ultimate Fighting Championship debutant
Juancamilo Ronderos. On extremely short notice, Ronderos (4-1) stepped in at
UFC Fight Night 188 in May to take on David
Dvorak (20-3) at flyweight. Dvorak was originally slated to
face Raulian
Paiva, but the Brazilian was hospitalized due to his weight
cut. Following his appearance and subsequent loss to Dvorak,
Ronderos failed a post-fight drug test for cocaine. He has been
handed a one-month suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency,
a suspension that has already ended.
While USADA can allow for exemptions for certain fighters that
disclose they have taken substances prior to their UFC outings,
USADA claimed that Ronderos did not claim cocaine on his substance
use documents. As a result, the drug-testing agency handed Ronderos
a suspension due to cocaine being a banned substance in
competition, as well as one deemed a “Substance of Abuse.” The
suspension may have been longer; however, he was able to
demonstrate that he did not take cocaine to improve his fight
performance.
Additionally, Ronderos reportedly entered a rehabilitation program,
thus allowing USADA to keep his suspension to a minimum. His period
of ineligibility began on the day of his failed test, May 22, and
it has already ended. The Nevada State Athletic Commission reserves
the right to hand down additional sanctions as it sees fit, but it
has not at this time.
The full USADA statement reads as follows:
“[Juancamilo Ronderos] Alvis, 26, tested positive for cocaine and
its metabolite benzoylecgonine as the result of a sample collected
in competition at the UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on May 22, 2021.
Cocaine, a non-Specified stimulant, is prohibited in-competition
and considered a Substance of Abuse under the UFC Anti-Doping
Policy and the UFC Prohibited List.
“An athlete who discloses the use of a prohibited substance to
USADA upon entering the UFC Anti-Doping Program will not be deemed
to have committed a violation if USADA determines that a positive
test for that substance resulted from the athlete’s use prior to
entering the program. Alvis did not declare the use of cocaine on
his onboarding declaration forms.
“Alvis received a reduction to the otherwise applicable period of
ineligibility because under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, athletes
may receive a reduced sanction for Substances of Abuse if they can
establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the violation did
not enhance, and was not intended to enhance, the athlete’s
performance in a Bout and they subsequently complete a drug
rehabilitation program.
“Alvis’ one-month period of ineligibility began on May 22, 2021,
the date his positive sample was collected. Alvis’ positive test
also falls under the jurisdiction of the Nevada State Athletic
Commission, which is resolving the case in accordance with its
rules.”
