Carlos Diego Ferreira flagged for 'potential' USADA violation, pulled from Abel Trujillo fight

UFC lightweight Carlos Diego Ferreira is the latest fighter to find themselves in hot water with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The UFC announced Friday that Ferreira was flagged for a "potential Anti-Doping Policy violation" in a recent out-of-competition drug test with USADA.

As a result, Ferreira has been removed from his preliminary card fight against Abel Trujillo on May 29 at UFC Fight Night 88. The UFC is currently looked for a replacement opponent to fight Trujillo.

The UFC's statement can be read below.

"The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed Carlos Diego Ferreira of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation, stemming from a recent out-of-competition sample collection. In accordance with the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, Ferreira has received a provisional suspension, and has been removed from his scheduled bout against Abel Trujillo on May 29 in Las Vegas.

USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed.

UFC will announce a replacement opponent for Trujillo shortly, while additional violation information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward."

Ferreira (12-2) is a 31-year-old Brazilian fighter who has won three of his five UFC fights since entering the promotion as the Legacy FC lightweight champion in 2014. The first two of those wins -- finishes over Colton Smith and Ramsey Nijem -- earned Ferreira performance bonuses.

In his most recent outing, Ferreira rebounded from the first back-to-back losses of his career to score a unanimous decision victory over Canadian prospect Olivier Aubin-Mercier.