Middleweight contender Yoel Romero could be back in action in 2016, as MMAFighting.com reports that he’s reached a settlement with USADA over an anti-doping violation in January.
Romero was suspended for two years due to the violation, which he and his camp contend was due to a substance in a supplement not on the label, and he opted to appeal. Per the report, the sides have reached a settlement to avoid arbitration which would bring him back into action this year.
USADA is expected to make an official announcement in the near future regarding the settlement, and it’s expected to come in under nine months from the alleged violation. Per the report, Romero could fight again as soon as late summer.
Penick’s Analysis: This muddies the waters a bit as far as the middleweight division is concerned. Will they bring him back as the No. 1 contender after the Jacare Souza fight? Or not because he still failed the drug test whether that’s getting reduced or not? Will they go with the Souza-Vitor Belfort winner for the next title fight after Luke Rockhold-Chris Weidman II? Michael Bisping? There’s a lot up in the air right now at 185 lbs.
[Photo (c) Gary A. Vasquez via USA Today Sports]
Attention iPhone/iPad and Android users, if you’ve enjoyed our app in the past and followed us there, or if you’ve never checked it out, make sure to update to the latest version in the Apple store and/or Google Play store. We’ve launched a new look for the app, in line with our recent desktop overhaul. Make sure to check it out!
For current App users, swipe right to view next article, swipe left to view previous article.
Leave a Reply