This week, the UFC featherweight division lost one of its top contenders.
It was announced on Wednesday that Chad Mendes tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in an out-of-competition administered by Usada.
The two-time featherweight title challenger and one-time interim 145 lb challenger was popped for the banned substance GHRP-6, a human growth hormone.
When he was flagged for the potential violation on June 18, Mendes appeared to know what was in store for him, tweeting that he knew he made a huge error and that he was going to pay for it. His prediction came true as he was suspended from competing until 2018, two years after the potential violation was announced.
I didn't do my homework and that was a big mistake. I own it and I'm going to pay for it.
— chad mendes (@chadmendes) June 18, 2016
As if we the fans needed reminding that ‘Money’ would not be competing inside the Octagon for a considerable amount of time, the UFC updated the featherweight rankings the day after Mendes received his suspension.
Mendes has been removed entirely from the top 15, with unassuming knockout monster Doo Ho Choi coming in at the 15 spot and everyone from Ricardo Lamas down the line getting bumped up one place.
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