February is turning into a dreadful month for main events.
First, injury forced Cain Velasquez out of the main event of what was then UFC 196. Injury, coupled with a reluctance to risk a late change of opponent, soon claimed Fabricio Werdum.
Something other than injury is responsible for the latest main event to fall apart as it’s emerged that UFC welterweight Tim Means has been flagged for a USADA violation.
Means was scheduled to welcome Donald Cerrone to the 170 lb division at UFC Fight Night 83 in two weeks’ time but has been pulled from the card.
We had been busting our ass for the fight with Tim Means… But I know what @Cowboycerrone will say #AnyoneAnytimeAnywhere
— Brandon Gibson (@SixGunGibson) February 4, 2016
Here is a statement from the UFC on the violation.
“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Tim Means of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection.
“USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. However, because Means was scheduled to compete against Donald Cerrone on February 21 in Pittsburgh, there is insufficient time for a full review and proper promotion before the scheduled bout. As a result, UFC will announce shortly a replacement opponent for Cerrone on the UFC Fight Night card in Pittsburgh.
“Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
The promotion is now seeking a new opponent for Cerrone who has put together a very healthy average of four fights a year since signing for the UFC in 2011.
Means, meanwhile, is in disbelief at the news.
https://twitter.com/MeansTim/status/695055687299149824
https://twitter.com/MeansTim/status/695073864737357824
