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Tavares banned by UFC after positive drugs test

Franklin McNeil
February 7, 2013
Thiago Tavares was beaten by Shane Roller in 2011 © Getty Images
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Lightweight Thiago Tavares tested positive for the anabolic steroid drostanolone following his January 19 loss in Rio de Janeiro, UFC confirmed.

The promotion has suspended Tavares for nine months retroactive to the date of the UFC on FX 7 event. Tavares has been informed that he must pass a drug test upon completing his suspension.

Marc Ratner, who is the UFC vice president of regulatory affairs, confirmed Tavares' failed drug test with ESPN.com.

All 22 fighters who competed on the card were tested after the event. Everyone except Tavares tested negative for banned substances. Drostanolone is an anabolic steroid, most frequently seen in professional bodybuilding.

Shortly after the event, talk began circulating that a fighter had failed his post-fight drug test. Much of the speculation centred on former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort.

UFC addressed the matter in its official statement: "Zuffa wishes to clarify that Vitor Belfort's drug test results were negative and did not indicate the presence of any performance-enhancing drugs."

Belfort defeated top middleweight Michael Bisping by second-round TKO. UFC is currently negotiating a bout between Belfort and former Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold.

Tavares was knocked out in the first round by Khabib Nurmagomedov. He entered the bout on a two-fight win streak.

This article first appeared on ESPN.com

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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