Cris 'Cyborg' Justino able to return to UFC after doping suspension lifted
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 18/02/17 9:30am
Cris 'Cyborg' Justino has been cleared to resume her UFC career after she was cleared of a potential anti-doping violation.
Justino tested positive for a banned substance - diuretic Spironolactone - in December but said the result had been due to a prescribed medication used to combat an endocrine disorder.
The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has now granted her a retrospective Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the substance and lifted the provisional suspension.
"I am extremely happy that USADA took the time to carefully review the detailed TUE application that I submitted, and agreed that my use of the prescription has always been medically justified," Justino said in a statement
"I look forward to returning to the octagon as soon as possible, and proving that I am the pound for pound champion of (women's MMA). I would also like to thank my fans for their continued support, who made a very difficult time easier for me."
'Cyborg' had been expected to challenge for the UFC's first featherweight title but was instead only able to be in the crowd in Brooklyn last Saturday when Germaine de Randamie claimed the belt with a points win over Holly Holm.
Holm has appealed against that result to the New York Athletic Commission, claiming De Randamie should have been deducted points by referee Todd Anderson for punches thrown after the bell.
De Randamie has since offered Holm the chance of a rematch, although the Dutch fighter said she would first have to recover from injuries suffered during last weekend's bout.
Cyborg's impending return adds to the intrigue of one of sport's most competitive divisions and she told Fox Sports earlier in the week she would like to be back in action in June at UFC 212 in her native Brazil.
