The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on Friday announced a settlement with UFC light heavyweight Hu Yaozong for a drug positive linked to a tainted supplement.
Yaozong, 24, accepted a 10-month suspension after an out-of-competition urine sample conducted March 9 revealed the presence of banned testosterone booster arimistane and its metabolite, USADA stated in a press release.
Yaozong’s suspension is retroactive to the date of his positive test, meaning he’ll be free to compete Jan. 9, 2020. During that time, he’ll be subject to random drug tests.
The substance, formally known as androsta-3,5-diene-7,17-dione and its metabolite 7β-hydroxy-androst-3,5-diene-17-one, is in the class of specified substances and normally carries a one-year suspension. Following a USADA investigation, Yaozong’s positive was determined to be caused by a dietary supplement.
“The minor reduction is based on Hu’s cooperation throughout the results management process and efforts made to investigate the safety of the supplement prior to use, even though he subsequently realized that the product listed a prohibited substance on the label,” USADA said in a prepared statement.
Yaozong (3-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) debuted in the UFC in November 2017 at UFC Fight Night 122, where he was submitted in the second round by Cyril Asker. A follow-up one year later at UFC Fight Night 141 led to another setback, this time via decision against Rashad Coulter.
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