Villante was cleared by USADA. (Photo: Getty Images)
Another fighter was acquitted by USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) after being caught in an anti-doping test. Its about Gian Villante, next opponent of Mauritius Shogun at UFC Fortaleza, which takes place on March 11th. The light heavyweight received a retroactive therapeutic use exemption (TUE) after testing positive in an anti-doping test carried out on January 18, outside the competition period. The substance found was “vilanterol”, but Villante claimed to have used an inhaler called Breo Ellipta – which contains the substance – due to respiratory problems.
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Last week, Chris Cyborg went through a similar situation: the Brazilian woman was acquitted after it was found that the substance found in her body was part of a medication prescribed by her doctor to treat an endocrine disorder. As a result, the United States anti-doping control body granted the retroactive exemption and the fighter is free to compete again.
Check out the statement released by USADA about Gian Villante
"After a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Villante's use of vilanterol, which included the TUE retroactive application process, USADA determined that the athlete had an unequivocally diagnosed acute medical condition for which the use of vilanterol is consistent with the standard of care. Additionally, it was determined that short-term use of the Breo Ellipta Inhaler was within the manufacturer's therapeutic recommendation and was intended to return the athlete to a normal state of health without providing a performance-enhancing benefit.
Finally, other permitted therapeutic alternatives were not successful in controlling the athlete's condition. As Villante's TUE request was granted retroactively, his declaration of a prohibited substance and subsequent positive test will not result in an anti-doping policy violation. Consequently, Villante remains eligible to compete on the UFC Fight Night Card in Fortaleza, Brazil on March 11, 2017".
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