The UFC released a statement on Wednesday revealing that Means was flagged as a result of an out-of-competition test. As usual, USADA “will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case.”
Although athletes are entitled to a full review process before receiving any punishment, the proximity of the event does not allow for the UFC to keep Means on the card.
Means was scheduled to face Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh in the main event of a card to be televised on Fox Sports 1. According to the statement, the UFC will announce a replacement opponent for Cerrone “shortly.”
Fucccck that came out of left field! @usantidoping
— tim means (@MeansTim) February 4, 2016
Based out of FIT-NHB in Albuquerque, N.M., Means has won five of his last six bouts in the Octagon. Most recently, “The Dirty Bird” knocked out John Howard 21 seconds into round two of their matchup at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on Dec. 10.