Chi Lewis-Parry Receives 4-Year USADA Suspension for Failed Tests, Falsified Evidence

Independent Arbitrator Imposes Four-Year Sanction on Chi Lewis-Parry for UFC Anti-Doping Policy Violations https://t.co/Yj5PAUFJiN

— USADA (@usantidoping) December 4, 2020

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A massive heavyweight and one-time prospective Ultimate Fighting Championship signee has been issued a lengthy suspension after an arbitration process.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced on Friday that Chi Lewis-Parry (9-0-2, 2 NC) has been suspended for four years for failing multiple out-of-competition tests as well as providing false evidence to the agency. Due to his numerous violations, an independent arbitration body ruled that Lewis-Parry should be suspended for four years from competition. Lewis-Parry was briefly part of the USADA pool under the UFC, and he was released from the promotion following his failed tests on Sept. 12 and Sept. 19 in 2019.

The substances that Lewis-Parry tested positive for include metabolites of drostanolone, stanozolol and dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (DHCMT) – all anabolic steroids. When joining the USADA pool, the agency allows for athletes to declare that they have used banned substances in the past, which allows them to avoid a ban but keep them out of competition until they pass tests. Lewis-Parry did not state that he was using any of these substances; in addition to this, the 37-year-old submitted a modified supplement to falsely claim that his tests were the result of tainted supplements.

The agency and the independent arbitrator dropped the proverbial hammer on Lewis-Parry with the four-year ban, claiming that this length was necessary due to aggravating circumstances to force the maximum time allotment. Lewis-Parry will not be allowed to compete under any USADA or WADA-governed organization for a four-year period that began on Nov. 1, 2019. Other organizations that do not adhere to USADA guidelines or do not offer the same stringent drug testing protocols may still allow him to fight in MMA.

Lewis-Parry never competed under the UFC banner, but he did fight for One Championship in two bouts in 2014. In addition to his time in One, “Chopper” made the walk five times with Glory kickboxing, winning four by knockout each time. The six-foot-nine striker last set foot in the cage in September, where he demolished Fabio Maldonado in 68 seconds with elbow strikes. The Brit posts a 100 percent finish rate, although he holds two draws and two bouts were overturned to no contests due to illegal strikes.

Part of USADA’s statement regarding Lewis-Parry’s suspension can be read as follows:

“USADA announced today that an independent arbitrator has rendered a decision in the case of former UFC® athlete Chi Lewis-Parry, of Surrey, United Kingdom, and determined that Lewis-Parry should receive a four-year period of ineligibility for anti-doping policy violations that he committed while he was in the UFC program. This decision comes after the facts of the case were presented and fully argued at an evidentiary hearing on November 10, 2020.

“Lewis-Parry, 37, tested positive for the following substances [Drostanolone, Stanozolol and metabolites of dehydrochloromethyltestosterone] as the result of out-of-competition tests on September 12, 2019 and September 19, 2019.

“Upon being added to the UFC Anti-Doping Program, athletes are required to declare prohibited substances they have used in the previous 12 months. An athlete who makes such declaration will not be deemed to have committed a violation but, depending on the substance, may be required to refrain from competition for a period of at least six months and provide at least two negative samples. Lewis-Parry did not declare the use of drostanolone, stanozolol, or DHCMT on his onboarding declaration forms. Subsequent to his positive tests but before competing in any UFC bout, Lewis-Parry was released from the program.

“In its investigation into the circumstances of the case, USADA also discovered that Lewis-Parry presented falsified evidence, specifically an adulterated supplement, to USADA and the arbitrator in support of the athlete’s claims that the prohibited substances had originated from a contaminated supplement.

“Lewis-Parry’s four-year period of ineligibility began on November 1, 2019, the date on which he was provisionally suspended from competition. The arbitrator’s decision can be found here, along with all other UFC Anti-Doping Policy arbitral decisions.”