mma / News
UFC’s Cynthia Calvillo Talks About Losing A Sponsor Over Failed Marijuana Test
In an interview with MMA Fighting, UFC fighter Cynthia Calvillo spoke about her failed marijuana test and revealed she lost a sponsor (sports drink Body Armor) over it. Here are highlights:
On being frustrated with her situation: “I really didn’t think I was doing anything wrong. I’m not trying to be a rebel, just, I don’t know. It just really, really sucks that I’m in this position right now.”
On testing positive: “They say you have to be literally pretty super, super high in order to test positive the day of the fight. There’s no way in hell I smoked or took any cannabis the week of my fight at all. Let alone the day of my fight. They tell us, like, they’re comfortable about how much time you would need to be cleared for in-competition testing. The last time I had consumed cannabis was on Christmas Eve, which was the week of the fight. I usually use it for sleeping, I use it for inflammation, I have had my medical card for over two years. It’s something I’ve used especially because I had an injury where I broke arm my three times in a row, and so I use it for the medical component and cannabis, CBD does help heal your bones. I was also having trouble sleeping for a long time [and it’s] better than using over-the counter stuff. It’s something that I discussed with [UFC vice president of athlete health and performance] Jeff Novitzky before, even once I got into the UFC in terms of the usage of marijuana. So I’ve done this safely every single fight, I’ve been tested every day the day of my fight and it’s never been an issue before.”
On her punishment: “I’m the least person you need to worry about. The Nevada commission has fined people six months for (PEDs) but they’re suspending me nine months for cannabis, which is something I use for sleeping or inflammation which is not going to hurt me or my body and not hurt any opponent. … It’s legal there, there are a lot of people in the commission who are involved in dispensaries and in the business, so it just kinda sucks.”