Cro Cop passed PED test, but suspension stands
“Regardless of whether Mr. Filipovic was actively using a prohibited substance during the time of his test, he admitted to the use, attempted use, and possession of HGH.”
Heavyweight legend Mirko Cro Cop, 41, was slated to fight Anthony Hamilton at UFC Fight Night 79 on Nov. 28, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. Then the Croatian fighter unexpectedly announced that he was retiring due to injury. The next day, the UFC announced that Cro Cop was provisionally suspended for a doping violation.
Just prior, Cro Cop was subjected to a random, comprehensive, out of competition test for PED. At the time, he was using what he described as a small amount of HGH, for a brief period of time. He informed the UFC immediately about his illegal treatment, before the results were back. Then he retired, saying further that the retirement was caused by the injury, and not by the potentially failed test.
In time, the fighters was suspended by the United States Anti-Doping Agency for two years.
Now a Croatian member of the UG, Jeedah, reports that a local news source, Vecernji, says that the test was negative when it came back.
According to croatian news media, Cro Cop showed them the email he received from Travis Tygart (USADA). In which he was informed that his test results didn’t show any forbidden substances. He was sanctioned because he didn’t obey their USADA policies, in which he had to notify them and ask for permission before using the substances he did. Im not sure about the longevity of his sanctions and if he will come back from retirement. So I hope there`s a possibility he might come back and fight on the UFC Zagreb show this year. Would love to see him one last time live since I never had the opportunity before.?
Jeedah’s wishes will not be fulfilled. Filipovic’s suspension stands, on the strength of his admission. The passed test does not matter.
Regardless of whether Mr. Filipovic was actively using a prohibited substance during the time of his test, he admitted to the use, attempted use, and possession of human growth hormone (HGH), which are all violations of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, said USADA spokesperson Annie Skinner, to MMA Fighting.