The news of Cris Cyborg’s latest (potential) failed drug test traveled fast down the mixed martial arts (MMA) pipeline. And one of the first to be notified was Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White, who was in New York City to promote (coincidentally) the promotion’s first-ever women’s Featherweight title fight between Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie at UFC 208 on Feb. 11, 2017, in Brooklyn.
Cyborg was offered the title fight on three separate occasions, according to White, before the promotion turned to Holm vs. Randamie since it seemed neither timeframe worked for the current Invicta FC Featherweight champion. After hearing one reason after another as to why Cyborg couldn’t take the bouts, including her battle with depression and her sudden inability to hit the 145-pound mark in the time allotted, White says he is seeing things clearer on the heals of the recent failed test.
"I offered three fights to Cyborg, and now we find out she just tested positive for a banned substance by USADA," White told TMZ Sports. "USADA will handle it, we don’t. There will be some back and forth, see how this things plays out.
"So it’s kind of weird, he continued. "First of all, I was offering her these fights at 145 pounds. First fight she had eight weeks to get ready. Second fight she had 11 weeks to get ready and the third fight she just turned down. I thought it was just strange that she was turning down all these fights ... not so strange now. It’s weird how these things play out, and that I ended up making this Holly, Germain fight at 45, which is perfect now."
As for what the future holds for Cyborg, White wouldn’t comment, saying he would have to wait and see how the entire unfortunate situation plays out. But, the fact that this is now her second offense doesn’t look good.
"This will be the second time, but, I don’t know, I can’t answer that. We will see how this plays out," he concluded.
Of course, Team Cyborg is adamant everything is on the up-and-up, claiming she was taking a prescribed medicine. Nevertheless, esteemed MMA media reporter Damon Martin pointed out, the substance in question — Spironolactone — is clearly on the banned substance list.
Not a good look.
Now, about the newly-created 145-pound division ... we still sticking to this?
Get the latest gear
