Brandon Moreno Cleared of Fault in Potential Anti-Doping Violation

Brandon Moreno has been cleared of fault in his potential anti-doping violation. USADA announced the no-fault finding, clearing him of the violation according to MMAjunkie.

USADA noted that Moreno failed failed a drug test for trace amounts of the clenbuterol, a banned substance. An investigation determined that the trace amounts likely came from contaminated meat and ruled it to be “without fault or negligence.”

The statement added, “Consistent with numerous prior reported cases globally, the issue of illicit administration of clenbuterol to animals destined for food production can result in, under specific conditions, a positive sample from an athlete. Both USADA and WADA have issued specific warnings about this problem in China and Mexico.”

Moreno’s failed test came from an in-competition test after his unanimous-decision loss to Sergio Pettis at UFC Fight Night 114. USADA said they looked into Moreno’s whereabouts before to the fight, his dietary habits, and laboratory reports which showed “very low parts per billion concentrations of the prohibited substance…Based on this information, USADA concluded that the presence of clenbuterol in the athlete’s sample very likely resulted from clenbuterol-contaminated meat consumed in Mexico. USADA’s investigation also took into consideration the negative results for samples collected from Moreno both before and after his positive test. As a result, Moreno will not face a period of ineligibility for his positive test.”