UFC welterweight Michel Prazeres accepts two-year USADA suspension

Michel Prazeres has accepted a two-year suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

The UFC welterweight’s sanction stems from two-out-of-competition urine samples he provided on March 9, 2019, per a press release from USADA distributed Tuesday.

According to USADA, Prazeres (26-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) “tested positive for exogenous boldenone and its metabolite 5β-androst-1-en-17β-ol-3-one.” Prazeres will be eligible to return March 9, 2021. He’ll be 39.

USADA’s statement reads:

“Prazeres, 38, tested positive for exogenous boldenone and its metabolite 5β-androst-1-en-17β-ol-3-one as the result of two out-of-competition urine samples he provided on March 9, 2019. Confirmation of the positive test was achieved through additional analysis using the sensitive isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) method, which reported laboratory results consistent with the exogenous origin of boldenone. Boldenone is a non-Specified Substance in the class of Anabolic Agents and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and UFC Prohibited List.”

Prazeres most recently competed, and lost, at UFC on ESPN+ 3 in February 2019. Prior to the unanimous decision defeat to Ismail Naurdiev, Prazeres was riding an eight-fight winning streak dating back to late 2015.

Out of his 13 UFC appearances, Prazeres has only lost three times. He compiled three submissions and seven decision victories in 10 wins. Notable UFC victories include Zak Cummings, Gilbert Burns and Mairbek Taisumov.