After an eight-year run in the UFC Michel Prazeres is calling it a career at 40, after testing positive for a banned substance for the second time.
On Thursday, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) released a statement explaining their decision to formally ban Prazeres (26-4) for up to four years from competition after failing multiple out-of-competition tests stretching from Aug. to Nov.
Michel Prazeres gets 4-year USADA ban, subsequently retires
“Prazeres tested positive for clomiphene and its metabolites (desmethyl-clomiphene, clomiphene M1, and clomiphene M2), oxandrolone metabolites, and the exogenous administration of testosterone and/or its precursors as the result of urine samples collected out-of-competition on August 27, 2021, September 16, 2021, October 15, 2021, and November 2, 2021,” USADA wrote in the statement.
“Prazeres’ urine sample was analyzed using a specialized test, known as Carbon Isotope Ratio (CIR) testing, that differentiates between anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and prohibited anabolic agents of external origin. The CIR test confirmed the presence of testosterone and/or its precursors of external origin in Prazeres’ urine sample. Anabolic agents have powerful performance-enhancing capabilities and can give an athlete an unfair advantage over fellow competitors.
Clomiphene is a Specified Substance in the category of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators, while all AAS and oxandrolone are non-Specified Substances in the class of Anabolic Agents. Clomiphene, oxandrolone, and all AAS are prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and UFC Prohibited List.”
The Brazilian made his return in June following a two-year ban after testing positive for similar substances in March of 2019. In his comeback fight, he came up short by second-round submission to Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Following the news, MMAFighting was able to confirm with sources that since Prazeres would be unable to return to action until Aug. 2025, he has decided to officially retire from mixed martial arts.
“Trator” finished with a 10-4 record in the Octagon. Scoring wins over notable names like Gilbert Burns, Josh Burkman, and Zak Cummings. He ended his run in the promotion losing back-to-back fights for the first time in his career.
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