Daniel Rodriguez Accepts 3-Month Reduced Suspension for Tainted Supplement Case

Daniel Rodriguez Accepts Sanction for Violation of UFC Anti-Doping Policy https://t.co/e3fo7SmTVW

— USADA (@usantidoping) December 14, 2023

Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight Daniel Rodriguez has already completed his suspension for unwittingly taking a performance-enhancing substance.

In August, Rodriguez announced that he had failed an out-of-competition drug test for a low level of ostarine. He claimed that he did not knowingly take it, and that it must have been from one of his dietary supplements. According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency on Thursday, this theory was proved to be correct, as “he was able to prove that his positive test was caused by a contaminated product.”

Due to the extremely low levels of the substance in his system—still banned quantities, but not the type that would have likely impacted his performance—and the cooperation from Rodriguez with USADA, the agency was able to determine this result. He was handed down a three-months suspension effective Aug. 17, which means that he has completed the sentence and will be allowed to compete again as soon as possible. Although the Nevada State Athletic Commission initially handed down a six-month ban for the 36-year-old, it adjusted its verdict to match the USADA ruling.

Rodriguez joins many UFC fighters over the years that have fallen victim to this specific substance from contaminated substances. Names include Diego Sanchez, Ovince St. Preux, Sean O'Malley and Tim Means, among others, that have been flagged in the past for this prohibited agent, and all of them received lighter sentences due to the drug inadvertently being in their systems.

Rodriguez has yet to state when he plans to return to competition, but he did post a video on Saturday expressing his jubilation for the end of his suspension and his vindication.

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A post shared by DANIEL RODRIGUEZ (@d_rod_ufc)

“I got some amazing news, everybody,” Rodriguez exclaimed on Instagram. “This is so f---ing major. I am no longer suspended by USADA. I am cleared and good to go, the supplements that I sent in came back positive for banned substances, so that means I am no longer suspended. I can get a fight at any point now, and everybody that was doubting me, thinking I was f---ing taking juice and trying to be a f---ing cheater: F--- y’all. I understand, y’all didn’t know anything, but I’m letting you guys know right now, I ain’t no f---ing cheater when it comes to this fighting s--t. So, stay tuned for a possible matchup, I have amazing news coming so just keep y’all’s fingers crossed and y’all’ll see me soon. Let’s go.”