Den brasilianska UFC-veteranen Gleison Tibau stängdes nyligen av tillfälligt av organisationen, då han verkar ha misslyckats med ett oförberett dopingtest. Nu släpper UFC och han själv uttalanden om situationen.
Lättviktaren Gleison Tibau (34-11) har gått så många som 26 matcher i UFC, varav 17 slutat i vinst. Han har alltid varit en av de större i viktklassen, och behövt gå ner oerhört mycket i vikt inför sina matcher.
Under morgonen kunde vi rapportera att Tibau åkt på en tillfällig avstängning. Detta då han ser ut att ha testat positivt för otillåtna substanser i ett oanmält dopingtest utfärdat av USADA, som sköter de utökade dopingkontrollerna efter UFC:s nya policy. Detta ska ha skett inför hans senaste match mot Abel Trujillo (12-7, 1 NC) förra månaden, som han vann via en kontroversiell submission.
Tibau ber om ursäkt
Nu har Tibau släppt ett uttalande rörande situationen, där ber om ursäkt och menar att han kommer undersöka närmare vad som inträffat. Det här hade han att säga via MMA Fighting:
”I’m not used to an easy life. Since I was a kid, I have fought for everything I’ve conquered, I have overcome adversities, and I’m really proud of who I am. I face this doping news as another stone that I have to take out of my way as a professional fighter and a correct citizen. As a responsible man that I am, I never believed I ingested something that could fantasize my performances. I make sure I have a healthy life outside the sport, and honest and clean inside the sport. I train hard, I do my best.
However, I can’t turn my back to a notification from USADA, an institution with credibility and a mission of stopping dirty game, doping. I will talk to my medical staff in the next days to find out where we made a mistake, and will do what we can in my trial. I fight professionally for 16 years, nine being inside the UFC, and was never in this situation. It tastes bad, like a loss inside the cage, but will be a big lesson, as experience to become more alert as an athlete of what can or can’t be done in the sport’s anti-doping policy.
I’m deeply sorry for what happened. I want to apologize to everyone involved, the UFC, American Top Team, my teammates and, of course, Abel Trujillo, who I fought on Nov. 7. I’m willing to give him a rematch, if he agrees. I’ve fought and defeated athletes that failed drug tests, like Polish athlete Piotr Hallman last September, and I know how bad it feels for the opponent.
I can’t forget to apologize to the fans, everyone that always supported me. I’m sure this time won’t be different, as I’m already getting messages and support through social media.
Fighting MMA is what I know to do, what I’ve chosen as a professional, my income. I take full responsibility for my actions, and I believe the justice will punish if needed, but also clear me if proven.
To the media, I thank the opportunity for giving me a voice in this complex moment that I’m living now, the toughest in my career. I trust in God so I can go back in action in my career in an honored way, like I always did.
Gleison Tibau”
UFC uttalar sig om situationen
UFC släppte även ett uttalande, även om de inte gick in på några detaljer:
”The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has notified both Gleison Tibau and UFC that he has been provisionally suspended due to a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition test.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Gleison Tibau. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time in the process.”
Tror ni fler av de kändare namnen kommer åka dit för doping?
Foto: UFC
