mma / News

Matheus Nicolau Explains Why He Failed A Drug Test

November 30, 2016 | Posted by Joseph Lee

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Matheus Nicolau (12-1-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) spoke about failing a recent USADA drug test just before his UFC Fight Night 100 bout with Ulka Susaki. He was eventually suspended and the bout was cancelled after he tested positive for anastrozole. Here are highlights:

On getting the email: “At first I didn’t even understand. I didn’t even believe it much. I don’t speak English incredibly well; I read it in English and I understood what it was, but I immediately texted my manager: ‘Is this really it, a prohibited substance, (and) how so?’ I didn’t even believe it. It was like, I can’t believe I’m reading this.”

On what might have happened: “They say this is consistent with traces of contamination. We have our suspicions of some supplements, but it’s very hard to think of everything I took recently – every little thing. None of the supplements have this substance. It was never prescribed to me. My doctor is very cautious with that; he always reads the lists of banned substances that come out every year.”

On what he expects to happen: “I’m working with the worst case scenario, which is one year. I’m very hopeful that we will be able shorten it, since we have everything in our favor, the way that everything happened is consistent with not having used this substance with performance enhancing purposes. But I also try not to create expectations to avoid frustration. I’m focused on making the best defense possible and making the right moves as the answers come.”