UFC: Rachael Ostovich Suspended By USADA
Rachael Ostovich hasn’t had the best of times in the last couple of years. The 29 year old flyweight has only fought three times since 2017 and has lost her last two fights, culminating in a negatively balanced record of 4-5 (1-2 inside the Octagon).
The Judo specialist has an avid online following and owns all of the right skills to become a popular feature on the women’s roster. However, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has confirmed that Ostovich has tested positive for two separate banned substances in an out of competition urine sample on January 3rd.
Ostovich Was Unaware Of The Tainted Supplement
The two key substances listed in the sample were Ostarine and GW1516. In a UFC statement, USADA confirmed that both substances are prohibited at all times.
“Ostovich-Berdon, 29, tested positive for ostarine and GW1516 (also known as GW-501516) metabolites GW1516 sulfone and GW1516 sulfoxide as the result of a urine sample collected out-of-competition on January 3, 2020. Ostarine is a non-Specified Substance in the class of Anabolic Agents and GW1516 is a non-Specified Substance in the category of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators. These substances are prohibited at all times under the UFC ADP and UFC Prohibited List.”
USADA did however confirm that Ostovich was unaware that the supplement in question contained banned substances. This combined with her full compliance in the investigation process resulted in a significant reduction in her original two year suspension.
“Although Ostarine and GW1516 were not listed on the supplement label, the analysis revealed that the product contained Ostarine and GW1516, the substances for which Ostovich tested positive. The product label listed another prohibited substance, but Ostovich did not realise at the time that it was prohibited. Consistent with other cases with similar circumstances, USADA determined that a small reduction from the default two-year period of ineligibility was justified.
“Ostovich received an additional reduction to the otherwise applicable period of ineligibility for her Full and Complete Cooperation. Under the revised UFC (Anti-Doping Program) 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.”
Reduced Supsension
As well as receiving a one year reduction for her ‘Full and Complete Cooperation’, Ostovich also received an additional four months reduction because of a provisional suspension she faced last year, as a result of an atypical finding that was being investigated by USADA. To which, no sanctions were issued.
As a result, Ostovich received an eight month suspension, retroactive to January 3rd. Meaning she will be eligible to fight again from the beginning of August.
Ostovich is coming off a loss to Paige VanZant at UFC Brooklyn in January 2019 and suffered an injury as a result of a nasty armbar finish.
Who would you like to see Rachael Ostovich face inside the Octagon on her return?
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