Romero denies PED was used knowingly, appeals for lighter punishment

Last month it was revealed by the UFC that middleweight Yoel Romero had been notified of a potential drug policy violation for an out-of-competition test. There had been rumors that the B sample exonerated the fighter. 

Now Romero has confirmed, via his manager MalkiKawa, that he had failed a test. Kawa said on The MMA Hour that the fighter denies knowingly taking a prohibited PED, and cited a tainted supplement. Kawa further said that both his team and USADA had tested the supplement in question.

Kawa also discussed the likely punishment. Knowingly taking a PED results in a two year suspension. However, the published rules also reference cases of inadvertent use of PEDs, which can lower the punishment, or not.

For Anti-Doping Policy Violations not described in Articles 10.5.1.1 or 10.5.1.2, subject to further reduction or elimination as provided in Article 10.6, the otherwise applicable period of Ineligibility may be reduced based on the Athlete or other Person’s degree of Fault, but the reduced period of Ineligibility may not be less than one-quarter of the period of Ineligibility otherwise applicable. If the otherwise applicable period of Ineligibility is a lifetime, the reduced period under this Article may be no less than eight years. 

However, the bottom line is that a fighter is responsible for what goes into his or her body.

It is each Athlete’s personal duty to ensure that no Prohibited Substance enters his or her body. Athletes are responsible for any Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers found to be present in their Samples. Accordingly, it is not necessary that intent, Fault, negligence or knowing Use on the Athlete’s part be demonstrated in order to establish an Anti-Doping Policy Violation under Article 2.1.

A formal decision should be made by the end of the week. Romero pled for mercy.

I think it’s my responsibility when I take something said the fighter, as transcribed bySteven Marrocco for MMAjunkie. But I think maybe a public warning (would be a fair punishment). When you see the supplement, outside it says it’s clean, you can take it.

My whole entire life, I’ve trained very hard. I abstain from a lot of stuff in life. To reach not just the world title, but also to maintain my family. If I would have committed what they’re saying, I’m running the risk that I can’t support my family. I think more about my family than I do a title. I’m conscious that if I take one of these supplements, they’re going to catch me.

USADA has in fact caught Romero taking PEDs. The punishment is likely to be significant.