Cyborg did not disclose use of medication before failed drug test

The USADA's drug testing protocol continues to have a few gray areas.

UFC star Cris Cyborg was the latest high-profile case to fall under the jurisdiction of the agency and after a two-month investigation she was granted a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for Spironolactone. The 31-year-old fighter had been taking the pill to treat a "diagnosed chronic medical condition".

On Tuesday, USADA communications manager Ryan Madden revealed that Cyborg did not disclose her use of the drug prior to her test failure in December, but credited her and her team for cooperating when she was flagged for a potential violation.

Madden's statement below, per Erik Magraken of Combat Sports Law:

Her use of the medication was not initially disclosed; but more importantly, once contacted by USADA, she immediately identified the medication as the source of her positive test, submitted all necessary medical information and demonstrated that it was being used for legitimate medical purposes without enhancing her performance. Those are the primary considerations when reviewing any TUE application.

According to Magraken, Cyborg failed to mention Spironolactone during sample collection despite being on the pill since last September, an omission that would seem to make her ineligible for a retroactive TUE according to USADA policy.

It is unclear why this information was not initially provided to the USADA testers, or what exceptions are available for UFC fighters as opposed to other athletes who are part of the drug testing program.

- With h/t to Bloody Elbow