It was revealed just yesterday that Cristiane Santos failed her drug test for anabolic steroids for her fight against Hiroko Yamanaka on Dec. 16, 2011, in San Diego, California. "Cyborg" was stripped of her Strikeforce women's featherweight championship and the entire 145-pound division is now up in the air.
Now, she's released a statement via her Facebook page regarding her failed test. Her claim? That she had a tough weight cut and was taking a dietary supplement that caused the positive test.
Here's her side of it:
"I would like to sincerely apologize to StrikeForce, the Zuffa organization, Hioko Yamanaka and my fans for my failed drug test. I am ultimately responsible for everything I put in my body, and at the end of the day, there is no excuse for having a prohibited substance in my system. I do not condone the use of any performance enhancing drugs by myself or any other professional athlete, and willingly accept the penalties and fines that have been handed down to me by the California State Athletic Commission and those of the StrikeForce/Zuffa organization. While I was preparing myself for my last fight I was having a difficult time cutting weight and used a dietary supplement that I was assured was safe and not prohibited from use in sports competition. It was never my intention to obtain an unfair advantage over Hiroko, mislead StrikeForce, the Commission or my fans. I train harder than any fighter in MMA and do not need drugs to win in the cage, and I have proven this time and time again! My only mistake is not verifying the diet aid with my doctor beforehand, and understanding that it was not approved for use in the ring. Unfortunately in the end I suffer the consequences and must accept the responsibility for my actions. I will do everything I can to show my fans that I can still compete at the professional level without the use of any prohibited substances, and ask God's forgiveness for my mistake."
Strikeforce also released a statement, albeit before "Cyborg" did, in which company CEO Scott Coker basically reiterated a stance shared by any and all promotions. That drugs are bad (mmmkay) and they will wait until all facts are presented before passing judgement.
In an interview with ESPN just last night, though, UFC President Dana White revealed that Santos' 145-pound belt would be taken away and the division she has been the ruler of for the past few years could be done for good:
"We were going to hold that division and just do fights with 'Cyborg' whenever there was a new contender. She's getting stripped of the title. I don't know. We'll see what happens."
The fact that White would outright admit to the lack of depth in the division and simply say that they were going to feed the beast whenever a new meal presented itself shows just how dominate Santos has been during her time under the Zuffa banner.
Like it or not, it's all tainted now.
That's because she was already fighting an uphill battle regarding folks perceptions of her. Indeed, the general reaction to her failed test was a collective shrug of the shoulders and a whole lot of, "Yeah, I knew it. Just look at her."
Fair? Probably not, but that's the way it goes when you're a public figure.
As for her explanation, is it enough to convince you that she shouldn't be crucified in the court of public opinion? Are you buying what she's selling here? Or do you think she's simply making excuses?
Opinions, please.