UFC's Ion Cutelaba accepts six-month USADA suspension for ozone therapy administration

UFC light heavyweight Ion Cutelaba has accepted a six-month suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after admitting use of an unconventional therapeutic treatment.

According to a statement released today by USADA, Cutelaba (13-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) declared he underwent ozone therapy on paperwork associated with a pair of out-of-competition drug tests conducted Oct. 18 and 19 of last year.

After requesting more information about the treatment, USADA discovered documentation from Cutelaba’s physician that the fighter’s ozone therapy involved a blood transfusion, a prohibited method under manipulation of blood and blood components in the 2018 WADA prohibited list.

“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,” read USADA’s statment. “While Cutelaba was unaware of the violation and declared the treatment on his doping control paperwork, he was unable to refute the documentation provided.”

Because Cutelaba admitted to the illegal method, USADA reduced his suspension to six months, starting his ineligibility on Nov. 3, the date he was provisionally suspended and removed from a fight with Michal Oleksiejczuk at UFC 217. Without the admission, Cutelaba faced a two-year suspension.

Cutelaba will be eligible to fight again on May 6. Known for painting his face green in tribute to his “Hulk” nickname, the 24-year-old Moldovan slugger most recently fought this past June at UFC Fight Night 110, where he knocked out Henrique da Silva. He is 2-2 in the promotion.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.