Tanquinho guarantees innocence in doping. Photo: Disclosure / BrandPower Sports Agency
Brazilian Augusto Tanquinho was removed from the UFC Fight Night Atlantic City card after a change in his anti-doping test. Despite the temporary suspension, the black belt guarantees his innocence and claims to have never used prohibited substances in his career and promises to appeal the decision to prove his innocence.
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Through an official statement, the fighter reveals his surprise at receiving notification from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) of a possible violation in his exam, carried out on March 7, during an out-of-competition period. Tanquinho recalled his long career in sport: from jiu-jitsu, where he was world champion, to MMA. He also guarantees that he has not changed his supplementation routine and makes himself available to the entity to try to clarify the change in the test.
“In more than 20 years in martial arts, I guarantee that I have never used any prohibited substance to gain an advantage over my opponents and improve my performance. Therefore, I emphasize my complete innocence regarding what happened and I make myself available to the entity to collaborate in whatever is necessary so that the case is resolved quickly and legally”, stated Tanquinho in an excerpt of the statement.
Tanquinho, who has an MMA record of six wins and two losses in MMA, was scheduled to face Mareb Dvalishvili at UFC Atlantic City on April 21. But the change in the anti-doping test taken by USADA took him out of contention. The entity, responsible for UFC doping control, did not reveal which substance was found in the fighter's test.
Official statement from Augusto Tanquinho on doping
On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 20th, I was surprised by a notification from the United States National Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informing about a potential violation of the UFC's anti-doping policy, in an exam carried out on the 7th of this month. In more than 20 years in martial arts, I guarantee that I have never used any prohibited substance to gain an advantage over my opponents and improve my performance. Therefore, I emphasize my complete innocence regarding what happened and I make myself available to the entity to collaborate in whatever is necessary so that the case is resolved quickly and legally.
I have changed nothing in my supplementation routine in the last few months, respecting the anti-doping policy that meant I was tested seven times in the last year alone and passed all exams. For this reason and for my professional and personal conduct, respecting all the work carried out by USADA in favor of the legitimacy of MMA fighters, I inform you that I will use all means that allow me to prove my innocence in the case, starting with the request of the proof of the exam and carrying out, on my own, tests on all the supplements I have used in recent months.
I experience the glories and feel the bitter taste of defeats that sport provides. In 2016, due to a serious injury to my left knee, I was absent from sporting activities for a year, so I know the problems that a punishment for doping can affect my career and I would never make such a mistake with myself. Because of all this confusion, I ended up withdrawing from the fight against Mareb Dvalishvili scheduled for UFC Fight Night 128, on April 21st.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fans who write to me on social media with words of affection and confidence in the positive outcome of the case. To them too, the UFC and Mareb Dvalishvili, I apologize for my absence, and hope that a new opponent is confirmed and that the athletes can put on a great fight.
See you soon again in the octagon,
Thank you.
Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes
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