M. Gatto receives a one-year suspension after being caught in an anti-doping test. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @melissagattomma
The premiere of Melissa Gatto for Ultimate you will have to wait a little longer. The athlete, who would make her debut in UFC 239, in July, she ended up being caught in an anti-doping test, which revealed the presence of prohibited diuretics in her urine. Upon being notified, the Brazilian left the card and awaited the trial, which ordered the fighter's one-year absence from professional MMA events.
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The Campinas native had her material collected on June 5th, almost a month before her duel against Julia Avila, which was supposed to take place on July 6th, at UFC 239. In the sample collected by USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency), the Brazilian tested positive for furosemide, a diuretic prohibited during competition.
After this finding, Melissa was immediately removed from the card and had to wait for the outcome of the case without being able to act for the company. With the one-year punishment, Gatto will only be able to return to active duty in June 2020, as the sentence is retroactive and begins to take effect from the day the samples are collected.
Melissa is considered one of the Brazilian promises in MMA. At just 23 years old, the bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg.) is one of the candidates to hold the belt that currently belongs to the Bahian Amanda nunes.
Gatto debuted in MMA in December 2016, at the age of 20. On that occasion, the native of Campinas defeated Alexandra Alves in a unanimous decision by the judges in a fight valid for Spartacus Academy. Since her debut, the Brazilian has had seven more matches, drawing two and winning the rest.
Her last triumph took place in September last year, when the athlete beat her compatriot, and also UFC athlete, Karol Rosa. In the presentation, Gatto submitted the Espírito Santo with a Kimura in the first round.
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