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UFC Featherweight Chad "Money" Mendes Suspended for Two Years After Testing Positive for GHRP-6
UFC featherweight Chad “Money” Mendes has been suspended for two years after testing positive for growth hormone releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6). The anti-doping violation occurred following an out-of-competition anti-doping control conducted on May 17, 2016.
"GHRP-6 is a prohibited substance in the class of Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
"Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides are listed as Non-Specified Substances on the WADA Prohibited List. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, the standard sanction for an anti-doping policy violation involving a Non-Specified Substance is a two-year period of ineligibility."
GHRP-6 is an injectable peptide hormone that many athletes use to increase natural growth hormone levels. It belongs to a category of drugs called growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRPs). GHRP-6 is one of many drugs in this category that included hexarelin and ipamorelin. It is typically used as an alternative to human growth hormone (hGH) injections but is chosen for the same objectives i.e. muscle gain, fat loss, reduced inflammation and healing of injuries.
Most athletes have been using hGH and performance-enhancing peptides without fear of detection by anti-doping controls. The window for detection has been so short that the likelihood of getting caught was very low. However, the increased number of athletes busted for peptides in recent months has led athletes to believe that anti-doping agencies have improved their drug detection technology.
Alternatively, anti-doping agencies have relied on tips from athletes who “snitch” on their competitors. This allows anti-doping authorities to target athletes suspected of using hGH and peptides with surprise, unannounced out-of-competition testing.
The UFC first notified Mendes of the anti-doping violation last month on June 10, 2016. The two year suspension has been backdated to commence on that date. Mendes won't be eligible to compete in any sport that has adopted the WADA Code until June 10, 2018.
Mendes had been ranked number four in the official UFC featherweight rankings and has been a contender for the featherweight championship title on multiple occasions. Mendes lost the championship fights to Jose Aldo in 2012 and 2014 and to Conor McGregor in 2015.
Since the GHRP-6 positive occurred during an out-of-competition test, Mendes won't be forced to give up any previous earnings or forfeit any previous victories. Mendes will simply lose his rank as the fourth-ranked featherweight fighter.
UFC featherweight Chad “Money” Mendes has been suspended for two years after testing positive for growth hormone releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6). The anti-doping violation occurred following an out-of-competition anti-doping control conducted on May 17, 2016.
"GHRP-6 is a prohibited substance in the class of Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
"Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides are listed as Non-Specified Substances on the WADA Prohibited List. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, the standard sanction for an anti-doping policy violation involving a Non-Specified Substance is a two-year period of ineligibility."
GHRP-6 is an injectable peptide hormone that many athletes use to increase natural growth hormone levels. It belongs to a category of drugs called growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRPs). GHRP-6 is one of many drugs in this category that included hexarelin and ipamorelin. It is typically used as an alternative to human growth hormone (hGH) injections but is chosen for the same objectives i.e. muscle gain, fat loss, reduced inflammation and healing of injuries.
Most athletes have been using hGH and performance-enhancing peptides without fear of detection by anti-doping controls. The window for detection has been so short that the likelihood of getting caught was very low. However, the increased number of athletes busted for peptides in recent months has led athletes to believe that anti-doping agencies have improved their drug detection technology.
Alternatively, anti-doping agencies have relied on tips from athletes who “snitch” on their competitors. This allows anti-doping authorities to target athletes suspected of using hGH and peptides with surprise, unannounced out-of-competition testing.
The UFC first notified Mendes of the anti-doping violation last month on June 10, 2016. The two year suspension has been backdated to commence on that date. Mendes won't be eligible to compete in any sport that has adopted the WADA Code until June 10, 2018.
Mendes had been ranked number four in the official UFC featherweight rankings and has been a contender for the featherweight championship title on multiple occasions. Mendes lost the championship fights to Jose Aldo in 2012 and 2014 and to Conor McGregor in 2015.
Since the GHRP-6 positive occurred during an out-of-competition test, Mendes won't be forced to give up any previous earnings or forfeit any previous victories. Mendes will simply lose his rank as the fourth-ranked featherweight fighter.
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