USADA: UFC Welterweight Jingliang Li Not at Fault for Anti-Doping Violation

USADA announced on Friday that UFC welterweight Jingliang Li is not at fault for ingesting a prohibited substance that led to a failed out-of-competition drug test on May 18.

Li, a native of Beijing, tested positive for trace elements of the anabolic agent clenbuterol in the screening. Positive drug tests involving clenbuterol have been linked to contaminated meat in Mexico and China, but are rare outside those two countries, according to USADA.

“During its investigation into the circumstances that led to the positive test, USADA interviewed Jingliang and reviewed all available relevant evidence, including Jingliang’s whereabouts, dietary habits, and the laboratory reports demonstrating very low parts per billion concentrations of the prohibited substance in the athlete’s urine sample,” the USADA statement read. “USADA concluded that the presence of clenbuterol in the athlete’s sample very likely resulted from clenbuterol contaminated meat consumed in China.

“As a result, Jingliang will not face a period of ineligibility for his positive test. Furthermore, Jingliang’s competitive results from his bout on The Ultimate Fighter Finale card have not been disqualified because a sample collected in connection with that bout on July 8, 2016, by the Nevada State Athletic Commission was reported as negative.”

Li last competed at "The Ultimate Fighter 23” finale finale, earning a first-round knockout over Anton Zafir on July 8 in Las Vegas. He is 3-2 since making his UFC debut in 2014, including triumphs over Dhiego Lima and David Michaud. The China Top Team member is 11-4 as a professional overall.