MMA veteran Gilbert Melendez tested positive for testosterone in his June 13th fight with Eddie Alvarez, a fight that Melendez ended up losing anyway at UFC 188 in Mexico City, Mexico.
Because of the fact that the drug test failure took place before July 1st, when the UFC’s new policy goes into effect, Melendez will only be serving a one-year suspension.
Melendez was scheduled to return to the Octagon on July 15th in San Diego, California, as he was slated to fight Al Iaquinta. Now, UFC is looking for a replacement opponent to fight Iaquinta on the show.
Melendez released the following statement about the positive drug test:
“I did not inject anything, but I am responsible and accept the consequences for the results. I will make sure I am better educated about the products I use and their implications. Going forward, I will ensure no products I use will contain banned substances. I am sincerely apologetic to everyone who supports me, including my fans, sponsors and the UFC.”
