Strikeforce Champ Cris 'Cyborg' Santos Tests Positive For Steroids

[No More Sorrow]

The California State Athletic Commission has suspended and fined Strikeforce women's featherweight champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos due to a failed drug test.

CSAC officials today announced the fighter tested positive for stanozolol metabolites following a Dec. 17 title defense at "Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal."

She's been suspended one year and fined $2,500, according to a release the CSAC emailed to MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com). Her win also over Hiroko Yamanaka has been overturned to a no-contest.

MMAjunkie.com is in the process of getting comment from Strikeforce officials and Santos' representatives.

"Our primary concern is for the health and safety of fighters," CSAC Executive Officer George Dodd stated. "Anabolic agents and other banned substances put not only the users of those agents at risk, but their opponents as well. The commission simply will not tolerate their use."

Santos (10-1 MMA, 3-0 SF) picked up her 11th straight win (and fifth straight in Strikeforce) with the 16-second knockout of Yamanaka, which came at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. The bout, which marked a third straight title defense, served as the night's Showtime-televised co-headliner and was Santos' first bout in Strikeforce in 18 months following a contract dispute. As Santos has torn through competition (with nine knockouts in 11 career wins), she's often been dogged by steroid speculation, though she never previously failed a test.

Santos, who's widely regarded as the sport's top female fighter, earned a disclosed payday of $66,000 for the Dec. 17 fight.

Santos's provision of a urine sample was observed by a CSAC representative on the night of the fight, and the sample was sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency test facility at UCLA. Santos has the right to appeal the suspension of her license.

Not what they wanted as they were really pushing for Woman's MMA to be a big part of Strike force now their main draw for the woman's division tests positive for steroids? not good.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Strikeforce officials today issued a statement regarding Strikeforce women's featherweight champion Cris "Cyborg" Santos' failed drug test but offered few clues about what's next for the beleaguered titleholder.

In a statement posted on Strikeforce.com, CEO Scott Coker said the organization will allow the California State Athletic Commission's process to play out.

UFC president Dana White, though, painted a much bleaker future.

"She's getting stripped of the belt," White today told ESPN 1100 AM Las Vegas' "MMA Insiders" show.

White, part of the Zuffa ownership group that acquired Strikeforce in early 2011, also suggested Strikeforce's entire 145-pound female division could be scrapped.

MMAJunkie.com

 

[Deuce]

Not suprised, MMA doesn't take steroids lightly. People need to think twice and actually try to build muscle on their own and not with steroids.... Triple H *cough, cough*

 

[Ben]

Might be the death of WMMA under the Zuffa umbrella. It was never coming to the UFC, but I think they where keeping it in SF mainly because of Cyborg. I don't follow it but I know there's obviously Gina and a few other girls worth a damn, but it's something that there not going to make money on ever. I just don't see the appeal of 2 girls beating each other up, plus with Zuffa trying to go more mainstream with the FOX deal, girls getting the shit kick out of them and bleeding all over the place isn't the way to go. Hell they painted over the blood in the cage on the first FOX show, so if there trying to PC the sport up, please put a end to the division.

 

[PHX]

That woman looked like she was on something so this doesn't shock me at all. I honestly think UFC should bring the women's division in MMA though. I know some people think it'd be a waste of time but I don't see UFC having anything to lose from bringing it in. Of course though this doesn't exactly help the chances of that ever happening.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Yeah Ben, my thoughts exactly.

I had always thought something was up with her, and I'm kind of surprised that she's just NOW failing a drug test for steroids. But yeah, Dana's not a fan of WMMA and I'm sure we'll hear a lot about it being scrapped over this, understandably.

And yeah PHX this basically ruined any chance of it happening.

 

[The Cork]

Dana hates womens MMA and something like this is exactly what he would've been waiting for.

FTR, I was against the idea of it too, but then I watched Cyborg on the undercard of Fedor/Werdum, and it was an awesome fight, one of the best that year for me.

But yeah, this just gives them an excuse to scrap the division.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Here's a statement from her, just came out today.

I would like to sincerely apologize to Strikeforce, the Zuffa organization, Hioko Yamanaka and my fans for my failed drug test.

I am ultimately responsible for everything I put in my body, and at the end of the day, there is no excuse for having a prohibited substance in my system. I do not condone the use of any performance enhancing drugs by myself or any other professional athlete, and willingly accept the penalties and fines that have been handed down to me by the California State Athletic Commission and those of the Strikeforce/Zuffa organization.

While I was preparing myself for my last fight, I was having a difficult time cutting weight and used a dietary supplement that I was assured was safe and not prohibited from use in sports competition. It was never my intention to obtain an unfair advantage over Hiroko, mislead Strikeforce, the commission or my fans. I train harder than any fighter in MMA and do not need drugs to win in the cage, and I have proven this time and time again! My only mistake is not verifying the diet aid with my doctor beforehand, and understanding that it was not approved for use in the ring. Unfortunately in the end I suffer the consequences and must accept the responsibility for my actions.

I will do everything I can to show my fans that I can still compete at the professional level without the use of any prohibited substances, and ask God's forgiveness for my mistake.