Chad Mendes Breaks Silence After USADA Violation: ‘I Didn’t Do My Homework’

Featherweight contender Chad Mendes has broken his silence after news of his recent violation of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.

UFC issued a statement on June 10 acknowledging that Mendes had been notified of a potential violation of its anti-doping policy by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). While specifics have yet to be revealed, pending a “full and fair review process” by the organization, Mendes’ comments appear to indicate that he will contend that the violation was accidental in nature.

I didn't do my homework and that was a big mistake. I own it and I'm going to pay for it.

— Chad Mendes (@chadmendes) June 18, 2016

“I didn’t do my homework and that was a big mistake,” Mendes wrote in a Twitter post on Saturday, his first tweet since June 10. “I own it and I’m going to pay for it.”

Mendes did not have a bout scheduled at the time of the out-of-competition test.

The 31-year-old Team Alpha Male fighter has lost three of his last four fights and is currently mired in the first losing streak of his eight-year career. Mendes last saw action in December, when he was dealt a first-round knockout by Frankie Edgar at “The Ultimate Fighter 22” Finale.