In January 2021 the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Brazilian MMA Athlete Geraldo de Freitas Júnior after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substances Androsterone, Etiocholanolone, Testosterone and its Adiols.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete file a statement in his defence and he was heard for the UFC Arbitration Panel. Analysis of the Athlete's 3 supplement products in the Rio Lab revealed no prohibited substances.
The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substances and supported by expert witnesses he disputed the reliability and validity of the Rio Lab and the test results because of established inconsistencies. Further the Athlete alleged that his use of prescribed Prednisolone and not Testosterone had caused the positive test results whereas he had no physical changes associated with the alleged use of anabolic steroids.
The Sole Arbitrator finds that there is sufficient evidence that the presence of prohibiteds substances has been established in the Athlete's samples and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation.
Considering the evidence and testimonies in this case the Sole Arbitrator deems that:
- The Athlete's claim regarding sample contamination in the Rio Lab is rejected as it is not only speculative, but highly improbable.
- The fact that the accreditation of the Rio Lab had been temporarily suspended in 2016 does not mean that the sample analysis conducted in January and February 2021 was incorrect or flawed.
- Errors in the initial documentation package does not mean that there had been a departure of the ISL.
- The suggestion that the use of a heater in the Rio Lab may have caused the Adverse Analytica Finding is speculation, unsupported by any evidence.
- The testimony of USADA's expert witness is accepted that the Athlete's use of Prednisolone could not have caused the positive test result for presence of Testosterone while such erroneous result would not be possible.
- Because of the confirmed presence of a prohibited anabolic agent in the Athlete's sample is the claim of absence of observable performance enhancing benefits not relevant.
Therefore the UFC Arbitration Panel decides on 8 October 2021 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 11 January 2021.
