UFC middleweight Abu Azaitar accepted a seven-month sanction today that was handed down by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for a violation of the UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy.
USADA announced that Azaitar tested positive for tamoxifen and/or tamoxifen metabolite 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-tamoxifen as a result of multiple urine samples collected on August 25, 2020, September 4, 2020, September 9, 2020, and September 17, 2020. Tamoxifen is classified as a Hormone and Metabolic Modulator and is prohibited by the UFC.
“After being notified of his positive test, Azaitar provided evidence (including medical records), that he was prescribed tamoxifen by a physician to treat symptoms,” USADA said in a written statement. “Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator used therapeutically to treat certain types of cancer in females and also prescribed off-label for males with various other conditions. Although the substance was taken at the direction of a physician, Azaitar lacked a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) and his subsequent application for a retroactive TUE was denied due to a lack of sufficient medical justification. Under the applicable rules, Azaitar was eligible for a reduction to the period of ineligibility based on the specific circumstances of his case and for his Full and Complete Cooperation.
“Azaitar’s seven-month period of ineligibility began on August 25, 2020, the date his first positive sample was collected.”
Azaitar, having already served the majority of his sanction that technically started on August 25, 2020, will be eligible to compete after March 25, 2021, which is a few days shy of being two months away from today.
