Gastelum Gets Reduced Sanction for Positive Marijuana Test After Completing USADA Drug Program

Kelvin Gastelum will be eligible to return to active competition in approximately one month’s time after completing a USADA approved drug awareness and management program.

Gastelum tested positive for marijuana metabolites in a sample taken on the night of his victory over Vitor Belfort at UFC Fight Night 106 in Fortaleza, Brazil. While Gastelum initially accepted a six-month suspension, that sanction was reduced by three months upon his completion of the USADA program.

The positive test already proved costly to Gastelum. He was pulled from a proposed bout against Anderson Silva at UFC 212 after the positive test was announced and his victory over Belfort was later overturned to a no contest as part of a plea agreement with the Brazilian MMA Sports Tribunal (STJD-MMA), the judicial body of the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA). Additionally, “The Ultimate Fighter 17” winner was suspended 90 days and fined 20 percent of his fight purse.

Gastelum’s USADA and CABMMA suspensions will end at the same time, and he will be eligible to return to action on June 10.

Prior to facing Belfort, Gastelum had earned back-to-back victories over Tim Kennedy and Johny Hendricks in 2016. The Yuma, Ariz., native is 8-2 over the course of his promotional tenure.