UFC lightweight wins knockout bonus, then flunks USADA drug test

Earlier this year, up-and-coming lightweight prospect, Marco Polo Reyes, took home a $50,000 performance bonus for starching Matt Frevola at the UFC Fight Night 124 mixed martial arts (MMA) event in St. Louis, Missouri.

Let’s hope he didn’t already spend it.

Reyes was recently popped by United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after blowing up his out-of-competition drug test on March 8, though the substance flagged in his analysis was not yet revealed.

From UFC.com:

The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Marco Reyes of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on March 8, 2018.

USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Reyes. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.

Reyes, from Mexico, may want to consider this defense.

The fighter known as “El Toro,” who entered the Octagon by way of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF): “Latin America 2,” struggled to find consistency in the first half of his career, but managed to put together a 4-1 record under the UFC banner with three knockout finishes.

Reyes (8-4) could face a suspension from USADA that will keep him out of action for most (if not all) of 2018, but it’s important to note that nothing is finalized at this time and the appeals process is still available.

Stay tuned.