UFC flyweight Matheus Nicolau has been suspended by USADA.
The Brazilian fighter has received a one-year suspension by the UFC’s anti-doping partner after testing positive for anastrozole, a prohibited substance in the category of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators that is at all times prohibited by the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. The news was announced by USADA on Wednesday, per a press release.
Nicolau was flagged by USADA for a potential anti-doping violation back in November and was immediately withdrawn from his UFC Fight Night 100 bout with Ulka Sasaki following a failed drug test collected on Oct. 13, 2016. Nicolau’s suspension will be retroactive to the date the sample was collected so he will be allowed to return to the Octagon this coming Oct. 13.
Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor, like Letrozol, one of the two drugs Jon Jones tested positive for last summer. Jones is currently serving a one-year suspension and will be eligible in July.
Nicolau, 24, joined the UFC roster in 2015 and has since picked up wins over Bruno Rodrigues and most recently John Moraga. The Brazilian is 12-1-1 as a professional fighter.