Independent Arbitrator Hands Francisco Rivera 4-Year Suspension for Anti-Doping Violation
Francisco Rivera has been suspended four years for an anti-doping violation stemming from an out-of-competition urine sample provided on July 23, 2016.
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The statement from USADA is as follows:
After a thorough investigation into the circumstances of
Rivera’s case, USADA concluded that the clenbuterol levels detected
in his sample were inconsistent with what could be expected from
meat contamination. Furthermore, Rivera was unable to provide
independently verifiable evidence to support his claim that he had
traveled to Northern Mexico and ingested meat in the days leading
up to the relevant sample collection. Thereafter, Rivera opted to
have his case submitted to a neutral arbitrator for resolution.
In advance of the arbitration hearing, USADA’s ongoing investigation revealed that several pieces of evidence presented by Rivera to USADA and the arbitrator had been falsified to support the athlete’s claims that the substance had originated from contaminated meat in Mexico.
Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, deceitful or obstructive conduct intended to avoid the detection or adjudication of an anti-doping policy violation may be regarded as aggravating circumstances, which can lead to an increased period of ineligibility. In this case, the independent arbitrator concluded that Rivera’s conduct warranted an increase from the standard two-year period of ineligibility for a first offense, to the maximum four-year period of ineligibility due to aggravating circumstances.
Rivera’s suspension is retroactive to Aug. 17, 2016, the date when he was provisionally suspended. Because the violation occurred after Rivera competed at UFC 201 in Atlanta, the bantamweight is also subject to additional sanctions from the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission.
Rivera, 36, lost a unanimous verdict to Erik Perez at UFC 201, his third consecutive defeat within the Las Vegas based promotion. Rivera is 4-5 with one no contest in the UFC and 11-7 as a professional overall.
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