Chad Mendes has issued a short statement for the first time since he was flagged for a potential USADA violation on June 10.
Mendes (17-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC), the latest fighter flagged after an out-of-competition drug test performed by UFC anti-doping partner USADA, had been silent on social media until Saturday.
The three-time UFC title challenger took responsibility for the failed test (via Twitter):
As is standard for USADA, the third-party testing agency will conduct results management for “and appropriate adjudication of this case.” Details of the failed test won’t be released until then.
Mendes, a former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler who’s currently ranked No. 5 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA featherweight rankings, was not booked for a fight at the time of his alleged failed drug test. In his most recent bout, the 31-year-old Team Alpha Male fighter suffered a knockout loss to Frankie Edgar at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale in December.
The loss left Mendes with a 1-3 record in his past four outings, with two of three setbacks coming in title affairs.
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