The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced Friday evening that former top ranked Featherweight Chad Mendes may have potentially violated the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s (USADA) performance-enhancing drug policy. Mendes reportedly failed an out-of-competition drug screen, the UFC revealed in a press release statement:
“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Chad Mendes of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection. USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
Mendes is currently dragging a two-fight losing streak. He was knocked out in the second round by Conor McGregor last July at UFC 189 in a fight he took on three weeks notice and then suffered a first-round knockout loss to Frankie Edgar in December. Mendes challenged for the UFC’s 145-pound crown twice, losing both times to former champ Jose Aldo.