USADA sanctioned Ion Cutelaba for six months due to a prohibited administration of ozone therapy, the UFC’s anti-doping partner made the announcement Thursday. Ozone therapy is an alternative treatment that introduces ozone into the body with the goal of increasing oxygen.
There are several types of methods of ozone therapy, some of which are banned under the WADA Code. Cutelaba told the USADA that he was undergoing the treatment during a sample collection in October and, upon investigation, USADA found that he was using a prohibited method of ozone therapy which involved a blood transfusion.
“The WADA Prohibited List prohibits the administration or reintroduction of blood or red blood cell products of any origin or quantity in the circulatory system, unless a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption has been obtained,” USADA wrote in the release. “While Cutelaba was unaware of the violation and declared the treatment on his doping control paperwork, he was unable to refute the documentation provided.”
Cutelaba, 24, would originally be facing a two-year ban for the prohibited method. But because he voluntarily disclosed the ozone therapy use and USADA found he didn’t have a relatively high degree of fault, his suspension was reduced to six months, the release stated.
The suspension will be retroactive to Nov. 3, 2017, on that date he was suspended by USADA and pulled from a scheduled UFC 217 bout against Michal Oleksiejczuk just minutes before the ceremonial weigh-ins. Cutelaba will be eligible to fight again May 3.
Cutelaba (13-3, 1 NC) most recently defeated Henrique da Silva by 22-second knockout at UFC Auckland last June. The light heavyweight is known for painting his body green like The Incredible Hulk at ceremonial weigh-ins. Cutelaba sports a 2-2 record in the UFC, but is a promising, exciting 205-pound prospect.