mma / News

Mirko Cro Cop Gets Two Year Suspension For Positive HGH Test

November 25, 2015 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas

Retiring from MMA didn’t prevent Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic from being suspended by the USADA for a failed drug test. USADA announced that Filipovic has been suspended for two years following a drug test that was positive for HGH before his now-canceled fight with Anthony Hamilton at UFC Fight Night 79.

Filipovic abruptly announced his retirement two weeks ago, scratching the planned fight for this Saturday’s show. The USADA’s statement said that Filipovic “admitted to the use, attempted use, and possession of human growth hormone following an out-of-competition test conducted on November 4, 2015 in Zagreb, Croatia. On the day he was tested, prior to any results being reported, Filipovic contacted the UFC to advise them that he had been using hGH in violation of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. Thereafter, on November 9, 2015, Filipovic admitted to USADA as well that he had been using the prohibited substance.”

Filipovic’s admission of the drug use saved him from getting a four-year suspension, which is “permitted under the UFC anti-doping policy where aggravating circumstances are present.”

The UFC issued a statement on UFC.com which read, “UFC appreciates Cro Cop’s disclosure and admission of usage of a prohibited substance, and supports the issuance of necessary sanctions to maintain a clean sport. ‘Cro Cop’ has subsequently announced his retirement from the sport after a storied career. UFC recognizes his accomplishments in the sport of mixed martial arts and wishes him well in future endeavors.”

article topics :

Mirko Cro Cop, UFC, Jeremy Thomas