UFC Middleweight Marvin Vettori Announces Potential Anti-Doping Violation

It’s been quite some time since Marvin Vettori has stepped into the Octagon, and there is a reason for that.

The Italian middleweight announced Sunday on social media that he has failed his most recent drug test conducted by USADA. The out-of-competition drug screening took place on Aug. 6 This was the seventh test for Vettori since the beginning of his career in the UFC.

The 25-year-old fighter stated his non-awareness and declared his maximum availability towards the investigations conducted by USADA. According to Vettori, the amount of the banned substance detected is 0.1 nanograms per milliliter. He did not specify the substance, though.

“Since the beginning of my career I have always been a clean fighter,” Vettori wrote on social media. “I have never intentionally assumed anything that could favor my performances inside the cage because I am convinced that the results are the result of sacrifice, dedication, blood and sweat. This is just a small stop on the way to achieve what I have set. As soon as I will be allowed to return to the cage, I will do it as always at my best and with only one goal in mind.”

Marvin Vettori is not the first exponent of Kings MMA product to have failed a recent anti-doping test. Former UFC heavyweight champion and Vettori teammate, Fabricio Werdum, received a 2-year suspension after being found positive for trenbolone, an androgen and anabolic steroid.

Vettori last competed at UFC on Fox 29 in April, when he dropped a split decision against Israel Adesanya. Vettori is 2-2-1 during his tenure with the Las Vegas-based promotion.