Warning: mysqli_query(): (HY000/1030): Got error 28 from storage engine in /home/sportsun/public_html/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 1942

The UFC, which was recently sold for a sports-record $4 billion, has recently had its fair share of problems with alleged drug cheats. The mixed martial arts organization recently announced the third failed drug test in recent weeks when it suspended featherweight fighter Chad Mendes for two years. Both Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar also failed recent drug tests in the past few weeks. The 31-year-old Mendes of California said he didn’t knowingly use any banned substances, but said he won’t appeal his ban and is willing to accept the punishment handed down. The USADA (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) released an official statement which said Mendes’ drug test came back positive as his urine sample showed signs of a growth hormone called GHRP-6 in his system.

The hormone releases peptide in the body which is designed to escalate its ability to produce growth hormones naturally. Mendes admitted on his Twitter account that he was informed of the test result and said it was a huge mistake, but he’s ultimately responsible for it. Media reports have stated that Mendes didn’t knowingly take the banned substance. Reports said that the fighter treated a skin condition with a product that contained GHRP-6. Once the USADA informed him of the results, Mendes said he obviously didn’t do his homework and has no one to blame but himself.

The 29-year-old Jones of Rochester, New York was recently banned by the UFC after his drug test revealed that his body contained estrogen blockers in it. The test results for Jones came back just a few days before the UFC’s interim Light Heavyweight Champion was supposed to fight Daniel Cormier at UFC 200 in Las Vegas on July 9th. Forty-one-year-old Anderson Silva of Brazil replaced Jones, but lost to Cormier by a unanimous decision. The UFC is currently waiting for more information from the USADA regarding Jones’ drug test results. Thirty-nine-year-old Brock Lesnar of South Dakota also fought at UFC 200 and defeated Mark Hunt by a unanimous decision in a heavyweight bout. But Lesnar also reportedly failed a pair of drug tests just a few days after the fight.

The UFC has yet to take any action on Lesnar’s situation, but he’ll also be banned if the USADA confirms the results. Out of the three fighters to fail the drug tests, Mendes is the only one who has accepted his suspension as both Lesnar and Jones will be appealing their bans. As for Mendes, the USADA took his urine sample back on May 17th and his ban was dated for June 10th. This means he’ll be allowed to compete in the UFC again after June 10th 2018. Mendes is currently ranked fourth by the organization in the featherweight division with a 17-4 record. He’s competed in three featherweight title fights with two losses to Jose Aldo, Jr. and a defeat against Conor McGregor.