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http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/...cusses-unique-lengthy-usada-sanctions-process
Junior dos Santos formally accepted a six-month suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on Monday, finally concluding the worst eight-month span of his career.
Dos Santos, 34, tested positive for a banned diuretic on Aug. 10, which carries a potential one-year suspension under the UFC's anti-doping program. The sanction was reduced, after dos Santos proved the test was caused by a legal tainted supplement.
The suspension is retroactive to the date of dos Santos' failed test, meaning it actually expired in February. Due to several factors in this case, however, the sanctioning process took longer than the suspension itself -- which dos Santos admits is frustrating.
"I am not a cheater. Since the first day we found out about this, we have cooperated with USADA and done everything they've asked or suggested to prove this was not intentional doping. It's taken a really long time.
We want to know the real results of fights, but in a case like this, with a diuretic, I think they should have allowed me to continue my life until they proved it was my fault. If they prove that, they can do whatever they want. But if I prove I'm innocent, I'm here for almost nine months, doing nothing with my life. I want to keep fighting for a long time, but I don't have any time to lose.
I was happy when those results came back, because I thought it was done. They would see it's not my fault and I could resume fighting. But then, they started to say other things, like maybe I could have contaminated them on purpose. I said, 'My God, I'm not a chemist.
When they found my supplements were contaminated, it was already four months. Now it's been another four months for them to figure the rest out, and finally find the truth.
I think USADA needs to consider what substance they find," dos Santos said. "If it is not a very bad drug, they shouldn't pull you from a fight. If they haven't proved it is your fault, they shouldn't pull you.
If I am guilty, do whatever you want to me. But I knew they wouldn't do that, because I am not a cheater. It's been hard. You are considered guilty before being judged."
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Josh Barnett has recently commented on a similar situation.
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Seems to me like basically they were guilty but they had already spent so much time unable to fight that they didn't end up getting officially punished. If you think that's wrong I'd be happy to be corrected. Maybe the watchdog has been getting over aggressive and spoiling the profits.
Junior dos Santos formally accepted a six-month suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on Monday, finally concluding the worst eight-month span of his career.
Dos Santos, 34, tested positive for a banned diuretic on Aug. 10, which carries a potential one-year suspension under the UFC's anti-doping program. The sanction was reduced, after dos Santos proved the test was caused by a legal tainted supplement.
The suspension is retroactive to the date of dos Santos' failed test, meaning it actually expired in February. Due to several factors in this case, however, the sanctioning process took longer than the suspension itself -- which dos Santos admits is frustrating.
"I am not a cheater. Since the first day we found out about this, we have cooperated with USADA and done everything they've asked or suggested to prove this was not intentional doping. It's taken a really long time.
We want to know the real results of fights, but in a case like this, with a diuretic, I think they should have allowed me to continue my life until they proved it was my fault. If they prove that, they can do whatever they want. But if I prove I'm innocent, I'm here for almost nine months, doing nothing with my life. I want to keep fighting for a long time, but I don't have any time to lose.
I was happy when those results came back, because I thought it was done. They would see it's not my fault and I could resume fighting. But then, they started to say other things, like maybe I could have contaminated them on purpose. I said, 'My God, I'm not a chemist.
When they found my supplements were contaminated, it was already four months. Now it's been another four months for them to figure the rest out, and finally find the truth.
I think USADA needs to consider what substance they find," dos Santos said. "If it is not a very bad drug, they shouldn't pull you from a fight. If they haven't proved it is your fault, they shouldn't pull you.
If I am guilty, do whatever you want to me. But I knew they wouldn't do that, because I am not a cheater. It's been hard. You are considered guilty before being judged."
///
Josh Barnett has recently commented on a similar situation.
///
Seems to me like basically they were guilty but they had already spent so much time unable to fight that they didn't end up getting officially punished. If you think that's wrong I'd be happy to be corrected. Maybe the watchdog has been getting over aggressive and spoiling the profits.
