UFC Welterweight Augusto Montano Won’t Face Punishment for Positive Clenbuterol Test

Augusto Montano won’t receive any sanctions from USADA after testing positive for a prohibited substance in an out-of-competition drug screening, the organization announced in a statement on Wednesday.

Montano tested posted for trace amounts of clenbuterol in an out-of-competition urine sample provided on May 19, 2016. Clenbuterol is an anabolic agent that has been found to be administered to animals used for food production in countries such as China and Mexico.

“USADA interviewed Montano on multiple occasions and reviewed all available relevant evidence, including Montano’s whereabouts, dietary habits, and the laboratory reports demonstrating very low parts per billion concentrations of the prohibited substance in the athlete’s urine sample,” the statement read. “Based on this information, USADA concluded that the presence of clenbuterol in the athlete’s sample very likely resulted from clenbuterol contaminated meat consumed in Mexico. USADA’s investigation also took into consideration a negative result for a sample collected after Montano’s positive test. As a result, Montano will not face a period of ineligibility for his positive test.”

Positive tests resulting from meat contaminated with clenbuterol are not believed to occur outside of the two aforementioned countries.

“While the risk of consuming clenbuterol-tainted meat and testing positive for an athlete is extremely small, consistent with past athlete advisories, USADA reminds athletes to use the utmost care if eating meat in known high risk countries, including Mexico and China,” the statement continued. “In line with WADA recommendations, USADA will continue to assess the presence of clenbuterol in an athlete’s sample on a case by case basis, taking into account all the evidence supporting the likelihood of such contamination. “

A native of Mexico City, Montano debuted in the Octagon with a first-round stoppage of Chris Heatherly at UFC 180 before dropping a unanimous verdict against Cathal Pendred in his last outing at UFC 188. “Dodger” is slated to face Belal Muhammad at UFC Fight Night 94 in Hidalgo, Texas, on Sept. 17.