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Suspended four years
Rivera has been suspended for four years by the USADA due to an anti-doping violation. According to the report, "Rivera, 36, tested positive for clenbuterol as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample he provided on July 23, 2016."
ANALYSIS
Rivera is facing an extended four-year ban due to the fact that "several pieces of evidence presented by Rivera to USADA and the arbitrator had been falsified" and "deceitful or obstructive conduct intended to avoid the detection or adjudication of an anti-doping policy violation may be regarded as aggravating circumstances, which can lead to an increased period of ineligibility". As a result, his ban will extend four years from when he was provisionally suspended from competition on Aug. 17, 2016.
Rivera is facing an extended four-year ban due to the fact that "several pieces of evidence presented by Rivera to USADA and the arbitrator had been falsified" and "deceitful or obstructive conduct intended to avoid the detection or adjudication of an anti-doping policy violation may be regarded as aggravating circumstances, which can lead to an increased period of ineligibility". As a result, his ban will extend four years from when he was provisionally suspended from competition on Aug. 17, 2016.
Violation caused by tainted meat?
Rivera disclosed Wednesday that his positive test was for the banned substance clenbuterol, which he believes he ingested via "tainted meat" consumed in a recent trip to Mexico, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rivera may actually have a compelling defense here, as USADA recently released a statement warning of the prevalence of meats contaminated with this substance in both China and Mexico. There's even precedent here, as USADA has recently cleared China's Ning Guangyou of any wrongdoing following a positive test for the same substance. The agency will likely have to further analyze Rivera's sample to be certain of the concentration of the substance, but as things currently stand, the UFC bantamweight has a reasonable shot of avoiding a suspension.
Rivera may actually have a compelling defense here, as USADA recently released a statement warning of the prevalence of meats contaminated with this substance in both China and Mexico. There's even precedent here, as USADA has recently cleared China's Ning Guangyou of any wrongdoing following a positive test for the same substance. The agency will likely have to further analyze Rivera's sample to be certain of the concentration of the substance, but as things currently stand, the UFC bantamweight has a reasonable shot of avoiding a suspension.
Tagged with potential doping violation
UFC officials indicated Wednesday evening that Rivera has been tagged for using a banned substance by the USADA, Fox Sports reports. The test was taken a week prior to his fight against Erik Perez at UFC 201.
ANALYSIS
The banned substance Rivera allegedly used hasn't been disclosed but he went on to lose the fight against Perez by unanimous decision. Given that he's now lost three fights in a row and four of his last five, it was going to be difficult enough for him to be granted another UFC fight but the allegations could result in another snag. More information on the situation and potential suspension should arise as it unfolds.
The banned substance Rivera allegedly used hasn't been disclosed but he went on to lose the fight against Perez by unanimous decision. Given that he's now lost three fights in a row and four of his last five, it was going to be difficult enough for him to be granted another UFC fight but the allegations could result in another snag. More information on the situation and potential suspension should arise as it unfolds.
Refuses to mix it up, loses to Erik Perez at UFC 201
Rivera lost to Erik Perez via unanimous decision (26-30, 26-30, 28-29) at UFC 201 on Saturday in Atlanta.
ANALYSIS
Rivera's entertaining style of fighting is the only thing that may keep him from losing his job. Rivera got off to a quick start and landed the harder shots of the two fighters in Round 1, but he was outworked in Round 2. Outside of a brief 25-second flurry to start Round 3 where he kept throwing punches like a lunatic, he spent the majority of the final frame on his back because he had no energy left. A loser of three in a row and four of his last five, it may be difficult for Dana White and Joe Silva to give Rivera another fight with the company.
Rivera's entertaining style of fighting is the only thing that may keep him from losing his job. Rivera got off to a quick start and landed the harder shots of the two fighters in Round 1, but he was outworked in Round 2. Outside of a brief 25-second flurry to start Round 3 where he kept throwing punches like a lunatic, he spent the majority of the final frame on his back because he had no energy left. A loser of three in a row and four of his last five, it may be difficult for Dana White and Joe Silva to give Rivera another fight with the company.
Badly needs win against Erik Perez at UFC 201
Rivera (+155) is the underdog for his bantamweight fight against Erik Perez which will take place at UFC 201 on Saturday in Atlanta.
ANALYSIS
Rivera's last five opponents: Brad Pickett, John Lineker, Alex Caceres, Urijah Faber and Takeya Mizugaki. That's high level competition, but Cisco is just 1-4 in those fights. He is entertaining to watch, but he has virtually no technical skills and his best chance of winning any fight is to stand-and-bang and pray he connects with one huge right-hand. For once in his career, Rivera needs to worry about winning and not entertaining the fans. He could find himself unemployed if he loses this fight.
Rivera's last five opponents: Brad Pickett, John Lineker, Alex Caceres, Urijah Faber and Takeya Mizugaki. That's high level competition, but Cisco is just 1-4 in those fights. He is entertaining to watch, but he has virtually no technical skills and his best chance of winning any fight is to stand-and-bang and pray he connects with one huge right-hand. For once in his career, Rivera needs to worry about winning and not entertaining the fans. He could find himself unemployed if he loses this fight.