R. Bebezão is caught in an exam carried out out of competition by USADA. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The year 2020 was not good for Raphael Bebezão. In addition to being defeated in the only fight he competed in for the UFC, the period also caused a stain on his career. The heavyweight (120,2kg) failed an out-of-competition drug test scheduled by USADA, as he performed against Tanner Boser in July and the test carried out on March 4th. In this case, the suspension applied by the body was for one year and the Brazilian accepted the decision.
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According to information released by USADA itself, Raphael tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide. The substance is a diuretic, which increases urine production and can dilute doping agents normally found in an anti-doping test.
Although the test was carried out in March, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the laboratory from delivering the results on time and the delay was so great that the fight against Boser was carried out anyway. Normally, when an athlete fails exams like this, they are soon prevented from playing.
In an interview with the North American website MMA fighting, the Brazilian explained that he fell ill in March and that he took a medicine prescribed by a doctor to treat chronic rhinitis, but he did not inform that he is a professional fighter and that he cannot use any medicine.
By accepting the one-year punishment imposed by USADA, Raphael Bebezão He will only be able to fight again from March 4, 2021. The 31-year-old fighter arrived at the UFC undefeated, but has been working hard to establish himself in the organization, as he was defeated twice in the three fights he competed in.
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