Kelvin Gastelum suspended by USADA – After testing positive for cannabis second time
Cannabis has gotten former interim title challenger and TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum in trouble again.
According to a release by UFC anti-doping partner USADA, Gastelum tested positive for 11-nor-9-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (Carboxy-THC), above the allowed threshold. The test was in conjunction with the top-ranked middleweight’s bout with Darren Till at UFC 244, which Gastelum lost via a close split decision. Aside from this latest controversy, Gastelum also received criticism for supposedly tricking the scale at the weigh ins.
Gastelum initially received a nine month suspension, but it was lowered to five months after that he completed a drug-treatment program, per USADA.
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“Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, Cannabinoids are considered Substances of Abuse,” the USADA release stated. “If an athlete can establish that the Substance of Abuse was not used to enhance his or her performance in a bout, the athlete is eligible for a reduction to his or her period of ineligibility upon the full and satisfactory completion of an approved rehabilitation program.”
This is, though, the second time that Gastelum has tested positive for Cannabis in competition. A 2017 TKO win over Brazilian legend Vitor Belfort was changed to No Contest and suspended 90 days by the Brazilian MMA commission after that Gastelum tested positive for Cannabis.
The TUF season 17 winner currently sits on a two fight losing streak, both losses via decision to top-level competition.
Was the suspension Kelvin Gastelum received for cannabis fair?
