Yoel Romero facing possible suspension for drug test failure
Yoel Romero, who was a possible next contender for UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, is facing a possible drug test suspension.
The UFC announced that they were notified today by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) of a potential violation stemming from a Romero sample collected out of competition. The UFC noted that USADA will, independent of UFC, handle the results and punishment stemming from the case.
No specific drug was named in the story, nor has there been punishment announced. It appears from previous cases that UFC is notified of a failed test, but the fighter is allowed to ask for a B sample to be tested before the offense will be publicly noted and any punishment would be dispensed.
Romero won a controversial decision over Rolando “Jacare” Souza at UFC 194 in Las Vegas in a fight that was to determine the next challenger for the title. But most felt either Souza deserved the win, or it should have been a draw, so Romero was never announced as getting the next title shot.
Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.