Juancamilo Ronderos Flagged for Cocaine by USADA, Suspended 1 Month

Juancamilo Ronderos Alvis Accepts Sanction for Violation of UFC Anti-Doping Policy https://t.co/6NJOd8AVSF

— USADA (@usantidoping) July 29, 2021

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When it rains, it pours for Ultimate Fighting Championship debutant Juancamilo Ronderos.

On extremely short notice, Ronderos (4-1) stepped in at UFC Fight Night 188 in May to take on David Dvorak (20-3) at flyweight. Dvorak was originally slated to face Raulian Paiva, but the Brazilian was hospitalized due to his weight cut. Following his appearance and subsequent loss to Dvorak, Ronderos failed a post-fight drug test for cocaine. He has been handed a one-month suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, a suspension that has already ended.

While USADA can allow for exemptions for certain fighters that disclose they have taken substances prior to their UFC outings, USADA claimed that Ronderos did not claim cocaine on his substance use documents. As a result, the drug-testing agency handed Ronderos a suspension due to cocaine being a banned substance in competition, as well as one deemed a “Substance of Abuse.” The suspension may have been longer; however, he was able to demonstrate that he did not take cocaine to improve his fight performance.

Additionally, Ronderos reportedly entered a rehabilitation program, thus allowing USADA to keep his suspension to a minimum. His period of ineligibility began on the day of his failed test, May 22, and it has already ended. The Nevada State Athletic Commission reserves the right to hand down additional sanctions as it sees fit, but it has not at this time.

The full USADA statement reads as follows:

“[Juancamilo Ronderos] Alvis, 26, tested positive for cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine as the result of a sample collected in competition at the UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on May 22, 2021. Cocaine, a non-Specified stimulant, is prohibited in-competition and considered a Substance of Abuse under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and the UFC Prohibited List.

“An athlete who discloses the use of a prohibited substance to USADA upon entering the UFC Anti-Doping Program will not be deemed to have committed a violation if USADA determines that a positive test for that substance resulted from the athlete’s use prior to entering the program. Alvis did not declare the use of cocaine on his onboarding declaration forms.

“Alvis received a reduction to the otherwise applicable period of ineligibility because under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, athletes may receive a reduced sanction for Substances of Abuse if they can establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the violation did not enhance, and was not intended to enhance, the athlete’s performance in a Bout and they subsequently complete a drug rehabilitation program.

“Alvis’ one-month period of ineligibility began on May 22, 2021, the date his positive sample was collected. Alvis’ positive test also falls under the jurisdiction of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which is resolving the case in accordance with its rules.”