No. 2-ranked UFC Middleweight contender, Yoel Romero, potentially violates out-of-competition drug test

Yoel Romero, 38, could possibly be in hot water with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) after an out-of-competition drug test returned abnormal.

UFC.com issued the following statement this evening:

"The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed Yoel Romero of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection. USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Romero. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward."

"Soldier of God" most recently toppled Ronaldo Souza via split decision at UFC 194: "Aldo vs. McGregor" in Dec. 2015 in what was widely regarded as a No. 1 Middleweight contender eliminator match (watch fight highlights here). The Cuban wrestling silver medal-winning Olympian (2000) has won all eight of his matches inside the Octagon since his promotional debut in April 2013.

If further laboratory tests confirm the presence of a banned performance-enhancing and/or recreational substance, Romero would be subject to a lengthy suspension (two years, as many as four) and stiff fine.

Meantime, Romero's looming title shot against division champion, Luke Rockhold, will be put on indefinite pause until further notice. The American Top Team (ATT)-trained fighter has not yet responded to the unfortunate findings.