UFC Heavyweight Chase Sherman Suspended 9 Months for Anti-Doping Violation

UFC heavyweight Chase Sherman has been suspended for nine months for an anti-doping violation related to an in-competition sample collected on May 13, USADA announced Tuesday.

Sherman tested positive for anastrozole during a drug test at UFC Fight Night 171. Anastrozole is in the class of hormone and metabolic modulators and is banned at all times, according to the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.

Sherman provided evidence that he used the banned substance prior to entering the UFC Anti-Doping program, but he still faces a violation because he did not declare anastrozole on his onboarding declaration form. Sherman received a reduced sanction by providing full and complete cooperation with USADA, meaning he provided evidence that he did not intend to enhance his performance by using the substance and was honest and prompt regarding all requests for information.

Sherman’s suspension began on May 13, so he will be eligible to compete again on Feb. 13, 2021.

“The Vanilla Gorilla” returned to the Octagon for the first time since 2018 at UFC Fight Night 171, where he defeated Isaac Villanueva via second-round technical knockout. Sherman is still subject to punishment from the Florida State Boxing Commission, which oversaw the event, so it is currently unclear if the victory will stand. Sherman went 2-5 during a previous UFC stint from 2016 to 2018 but collected three wins under the Island Fights banner before defeating Villaneuva.

The USADA statement regarding Sherman is as follows:

USADA announced today that Chase Sherman, of Gulfport, Miss., has accepted a nine-month sanction for a violation of the UFC® Anti-Doping Policy.

Sherman, 30, tested positive for anastrozole as the result of a sample collected in-competition at UFC Fight Night on May 13, 2020. Anastrozole is a Specified Substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and UFC Prohibited List.

Upon being added to the UFC Anti-Doping Program, an athlete who voluntarily and promptly discloses the use of a prohibited substance prior to testing will not be deemed to have committed a violation if they test positive from the prior use. While Sherman provided sufficient evidence that his use of anastrozole occurred prior to entering the program, he did not declare anastrozole on his onboarding declaration form and therefore he faces a violation for the presence of the substance in his sample.

Sherman received an additional reduction to the period of ineligibility for his Full and Complete Cooperation. Under the revised UFC ADP announced on November 25, 2019, a Full and Complete Cooperation reduction may be granted in the event that an athlete demonstrates that they did not intend to enhance their performance and provided full, prompt, and truthful responses and information to all reasonable inquiries and requests for information.

Sherman’s nine-month period of ineligibility began on May 13, 2020, the date his positive sample was collected.

Sherman’s positive test also falls under the jurisdiction of the Florida State Boxing Commission, which is resolving the case in accordance with its rules.