Several UFC fighters have faced suspensions for doping in 2016, and top-ranked female featherweight Cris 'Cyborg' Justino is the latest to face a possible suspension.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency notified the UFC and Justino of the possible violation, which came from an out-of-competition collection taken on Dec. 5.
Justino said in a statement she was prescribed the medication, Spironolactone, after she "had an electrolyte hydroelectric imbalance" and"significant loss of potassium" after she won a fight against Lina Lansberg on Sept. 24. She said she took the medication because she had hypertension and to prevent ovarian cysts. She said that she has a history of cysts and had a low white blood cell count when she arrived at the doctor.
Related: Brock Lesnar officially suspended following drug failures at UFC 200
Justino is cooperating with the USADA investigation, and said she is currently applying for a retroactive therapeutic use exemption since her doctor is familiar with USADA testing.
Justino is 17-1 in her career, and the 31-year-old fought her first UFC fight in May. UFC president Dana White didn't seem surprised about the possible suspension.
"First fight she had eight weeks to get ready. Second fight she had 11 weeks to get ready and the third fight she just turned down," White told TMZ. "I thought it was just strange that she was turning down all these fights ... not so strange now."
Justino apologized to her fans in her statement.
"For my fans who are disappointed in the news, I am sorry," she said. "It is my hope that my experiences will continue to bring awareness to the dangers of extreme weight cutting."
The UFC passed over Justino for the first 145-pound fight in promotion history, and White is probably glad he made that decision at this point.
[H/T ESPN]
