Priscila Cachoeira Accepts Four Month USADA Suspension

Priscila Cachoeira was supposed to compete against Ariane Lipski last month at UFC Fight Night Sao Paulo, but the fighter failed a USADA issued drug test and was pulled from the card. 

USADA announced today that Cachoeira has been suspended four months for the failed drug test and can return to action on February 20 of 2020. Cachoeira claimed that she failed the test because of a medication given by her mother, but USADA still suspended the fighter since Coachoeira didn’t have a therapeutic-use exemption (TUE).

The following press release was issued by USADA:

Priscila Cachoeira Gomes da Silva Accepts Sanction for Violation of UFC Anti-Doping Policy

USADA announced today that Priscila Cachoeira Gomes da Silva, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has accepted a four-month sanction for a violation of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy after testing positive for a prohibited substance.

Cachoeira, 31, tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and its metabolites chlorothiazide and 4amino-6chloro-1,3-benzenedisulfonamide (ACB) as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample she provided on October 12, 2019. These substances are Specified Substances in the class of Diuretics and Masking Agents and prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

During USADA’s investigation into the circumstances of the positive test, Cachoeira provided evidence that the prohibited substance detected in her sample was from a blood pressure medication given to her by her parent in response to symptoms she was experiencing. Cachoeira did not have or apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption, which is required to authorize the use of a prohibited substance in sport. Based on the specific circumstances, USADA determined that a reduced sanction was appropriate.

Cachoeira’s four-month period of ineligibility began on October 12, 2019, the date her positive sample was collected.

USADA conducts the year-round, independent anti-doping program for all UFC athletes. USADA is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental agency whose sole mission is to preserve the integrity of competition, inspire true sport, and protect the rights of clean athletes. In an effort to aid UFC athletes, as well as their support team members, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on the UFC Anti-Doping Program website (https://UFC.USADA.org) regarding the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements, as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.

In addition, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, Drug Reference Online (https://UFC.GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, and periodic athlete alerts. Many of the resources available to athletes are provided in multiple languages, including Russian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese.

Along with education and testing, robust anti-doping programs enable investigations stemming from tips and whistleblowers. USADA makes available a number of ways to report the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sport in an effort to protect clean athletes and promote clean competition. Any tip can be reported using the USADA Play Clean Tip Center, by email at playclean @usada.org, by phone at 1 877-Play Clean (1-877-752-9253), or by mail.