TUF Champion Kelvin Gastelum was set to fight former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva at UFC 212, but then he was pulled from the show by USADA for a failed drug test.
Gastelum has since accepted a 90 day suspension for the failed test and his win against Vitor Belfort was overturned to a no contest, but has also stated that the Brazilian MMA Sports Court (STJDMMA) was only interested in money. Gastelum has also vowed to never fight in the country of Brazil again and has challenged Silva to a fight at UFC On Fox 25.
In a statement issued to MMA Fighting, the President of the STJDMMA in Marcelo Sedlmayer says that Gastelum lied about the circumstances surrounding the failed drug test.
1. (Gastelum) initially told CABMMA and STJD that he used a medication that had THC - in other words, for medicinal use only.
2. Today (Monday), he changes his version and says he smoked.
3. He claims that he has a license to use marijuana in California, however, he NEVER presented that license to CABMMA and STJD.
4. His license is only valid in California, since each state and country has its laws.
5. In addition to not submitting his license, he never informed the name of the medication, the dosage (medical prescription) and name/information of the doctor and why it would be necessary for him to use the substance.
Finally, there are innumerable arguments that he manifests that have no foundation and are supported by lies. To make it worse, he claims that he smoked three weeks before the fight. That dosage far superior denies that thesis.
It sounds weird an athlete to seek for a plea agreement, sign it, agree with everything, and then go to the media to complain only about the fine.
Professional athletes have the power and duty to be an example. Fans can’t be fans of bad examples. Thousands of people, including children, might have as a reference or incentive to use drugs associated to sports, as something beneficial or to succeed.
The fighter's suspension will conclude in July, as his suspension was retroactive to the April date in which he failed the drug test in the first place.
