Jose Henrique suspended two years, signed with UFC in March
Jose Henrique, full name Jose Henrique Souza, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil signed a deal with int March following a third-round knockout victory over Alan Silva at a Shooto Brazil event.
Now, the 20-year-old professional mixed martial artist finds himself suspended before he even steps foot inside the octagon.
On Thursday, the U.S. Anti-Doping Association (USADA) announced that tested positive for two metabolites of the anabolic agent nandrolone — 19-norandrosterone and 19-noretiocholanolone. The positive test came from an out-of-competition drug screening conducted on March 8.
“Upon being added to the UFC Anti-Doping Program, athletes are required to declare prohibited substances they have used in the previous 12 months,” USADA wrote in a statement. “An athlete who makes such declaration will not be deemed to have committed a violation but, depending on the substance, may be required to refrain from competition for a period of at least six months and provide at least two negative samples.
“[Henrique] did not declare the use of nandrolone and/or other 19-norsteroids on his onboarding declaration forms.”
His suspension will end two years from the date of the positive test, meaning he will be eligible to compete again on March 8, 2025.
Henrique was undefeated at 5-0 when he earned a shot to fight for a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last summer. He would suffer his first defeat in that outing. His pro MMA record now sits at 6-1.
