UFC Issues Statement Over TDLR Not Reversing Decision Of Cortney Casey Fight

MMA Junkie reports that the UFC has issued a statement in which it comments on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation refusal to reverse its decision for Cortney Casey’s fight at UFC 211 in Dallas. Casey was cleared of any wrongdoing by a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory and a TDLR-hired lab after she failed a post-fight drug test.

The UFC said: “UFC has made it very clear that it takes anti-doping very seriously, instituting the most comprehensive anti-doping program in sports. One of the keys to this program, and any effective world-class program, is ensuring that all athletes are treated to proper due process.

UFC strawweight Cortney Casey’s recent case, stemming from her fight in Dallas on May 13, 2017, is a perfect example of the type of negative and damaging backlash for an athlete resulting from a false-positive. There is no better example than this for the need to have proper due process and testing in combat sports and professional sports anti-doping.

Following the results of the additional tests at the WADA-accredited laboratory, proving that Cortney did not cheat nor break any rules, UFC is requesting that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) immediately reverse its ruling and exonerate Cortney of any wrongdoing.

UFC has offered, and continues to offer, Texas and any other Commission and regulatory body around the world, the world-class expertise and experience of USADA, to assist them in properly carrying out anti-doping efforts in their state or country.”

Casey defeated Jessica Aguilar last month but tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone during in-competition testing. The fight was then declared a no-contest. She was suspended for ninety days and ordered to pay a fine between $2,000 and $5,000. The original test by the lab hired by the commission revealed a testosterone-to-epitestosterone (T/E) ratio slightly higher than 4-1, but her “B” sample came back negative for banned substances and synthetic testosterone.

Dana White also commented on Twitter:

Texas fans are great to us! The Texas Commission needs to get their shit together for the protection of our athletes https://t.co/4ukPBalcih

— danawhite (@danawhite) June 29, 2017