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Strikeforce women's featherweight champion Cris "Cyborg" Santos has been suspended by the CSAC and fined $2,500 after testing positive for the banned substance stanozolol.
Longtime Strikeforce women's featherweight champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos has been suspended by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) due to a failed drug test following her December 17th title defense against Hiroko Yamanaka.
According to CSAC officials, Santos tested positive for the banned substance stanozolol. She has been suspended retroactive to December 16, 2011 and fined $2,500. In addition, her victory over Yamanaka will be reversed to a "no decision."
News of the failed test was released late Friday afternoon.
"Our primary concern is for the health and safety of fighters," said CSAC Executive Officer George Dodd. "Anabolic agents and other banned substances put not only the users of those agents at risk, but their opponents as well. The commission simply will not tolerate their use."
Santos (10-1, 1 NC), widely regarded as the top pound-for-pound female fighter in the world, initially earned her eleventh consecutive win at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal after an 18-month layoff. In classic "Cyborg" fashion, the 26-year-old ended Yamanaka's night swiftly and brutally, tagging her with a crushing right hook before putting any doubt to rest in just 16 seconds.
According to CSAC reports, the champion earned $66,000 for her work.
Santos's urine sample was issued on December 16th, 2011 and observed by a CSAC representative. The sample was sent to the World Anti-doping Agency test facility at UCLA. Santos has the right to appeal the suspension of her license.
Cris 'Cyborg' Santos Appeals One-Year Steroid Suspension
Former Strikeforce women's featherweight champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos has filed to appeal the one-year suspension issued by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) following a failed drug test that led to the removal of her title, according to reports from Sports Illustrated.
Santos' manager reportedly began the process earlier this week, requesting a hearing to be directed by CSAC Executive Officer George Dodd on April 9th, 2012. A venue has not yet been selected.
"Cyborg" tested positive for the banned substance stanozolol, an anabolic steroid, in the aftermath of her December 17th title defense against Hiroko Yamanaka at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal. The 26-year-old promptly received a $2,500 fine, a one-year suspension and the win was reversed to a "no decision."
"I would like to sincerely apologize to Strikeforce, the Zuffa organization, Hioko Yamanaka and my fans for my failed drug test," Santos said after the ruling. "I am ultimately responsible for everything I put in my body, and at the end of the day, there is no excuse for having a prohibited substance in my system."
Despite her expression of regret, Santos has thus far maintained her innocence, stating that the failed test resulted from "a dietary supplement that I was assured was safe and not prohibited from use in sports competition."
Meanwhile, the Strikeforce women's featherweight division has essentially been put on hold while the matter is solved. Santos is reportedly staying in Brazil for the time being, and will return to the United States on February 20th.
"She's at home in Curitiba, surrounded by family who supports her wholeheartedly," the fighter's manager explained. "She's recalibrating and trying to put her head around the suspension."
Jan 17 12:59p by Shaun Al-Shatti - 0 comments