Brazilian UFC welterweight veteran suspended – can’t compete for a year

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. Photo via Instagram

UFC welterweight Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos will be suspended for a year by USADA. That’s after a positive test for ostarine during an out-of-competition test.

In a statement provided to MMA Fighting, Tiago Okamura, manager of Zaleski dos Santos, claimed that one of his fighter’s supplements had been contaminated with the illegal substance.

Okamura gave further details on the suspension.

“The talks with Elizeu and the doctor went as expected but the pharmacy denied compounding ostarine and later questioned the tested sample and even the packaging it was sent to the lab in. With the pharmacy denying the results and the fact they mixed ostarine we came to a standstill, Elizeu and the doctor’s word against the pharmacy’s word.

“Unfortunately, there is no reason for the pharmacy to admit their mistake to USADA since they have no jurisdiction over any Brazilian pharmacy and especially because ostarine is no longer a legal substance and its compounding has been prohibited by ANVISA (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency). After almost six months of fighting to clear his name with USADA and reduce his suspension, we are now stuck. We did everything that was requested but we cannot make the pharmacy comply.”

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Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos can return in April

The Brazilian was scheduled to compete against Mounir Lazzez in April but had to withdraw due to the positive drug test. However, he will be allowed to return to the octagon in April 2023.

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos made his UFC debut back in 2015, and has a record of 9-3 in the promotion with wins over fighters like Sean Strickland, Max Griffin and Omari Akhmedov.

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