Former UFC fighter Augusto Mendes was one of four fighters recently suspended by USADA for ingesting a contaminated substance.
The UFC veteran says that dealing with the drug testing agency has been both disappointing and frustrating.
”It is what it is,” Mendes said to MMA Fighting. “I understand what they are trying to do, trying to clean the sport and everything else, and I agree with it. I was always tested and never had any problem. I was tested after that and again, no problem. It’s frustrating, disappointing. I had highs and lows over the last 13 months, at moments I thought it would never end. I was working in the gym, seeing my evolution every day in training, but couldn’t actually fight. It was really upsetting. But what can I do? It was out of my control. USADA will do her part. Unfortunately, my case took longer than it should have, but I have to be grateful that it’s over now and I have more time to fight.”
Mendes, who went 1-2-0 in the UFC, hasn’t competed since a unanimous decision loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC On Fox 24.
One thing that Mendes does blame USADA for is for the fact that he is no longer a part of the UFC roster.
”It was really bad because I lost time, I lost money, I had to leave the UFC,” Mendes said. “So it was a mix of many bad things.”
There is no word yet from Mendes as to what his future plans are, but the fighter is signed to the ACB promotion out of Russia.
