1. American Top Team
American Top Team have a lot of fighters competing at a high level, so it does make sense that they would have more drug test failures than smaller camps. The large number of drug test failures they have had does indicate however that the team is not stressing the importance of being clean to their fighters in the same way other camps do.
Tristar Gym in Montreal for instance, have had no high profile drug test failures despite having numerous fighters competing in the UFC, most likely because GSP and Firas Zahabi have made it clear they are a PED-free gym.
Notable ATT’s drug test failures:
Yoel Romero- “the Soldier of God” was one of the top middleweights in the world until he was given a 2 year suspension after defeating Jacare Souza at UFC 194. Romero was able to provide the tainted supplement that caused his failed drug test however, and his suspension was reduced to 6 months. It’s going to be interesting to see if Romero is thrown right back into the thick of things in the middleweight division when he gets back.
Gleison Tibau– Unlike Romero, Tibau will not be appealing his 2-year suspension resulting from a positive test for EPO earlier this year. He will be 34 when he is eligible to fight again.
Big Foot Silva- The sad thing is that Big Foot Silva should be allowed to use TRT. Silva has the same condition that caused Andre the Giant to grow to the size he did, and the condition can also cause low testosterone. Silva had been fighting with a TRT exemption but no longer can because of the USADA program. He flunked a test after an epic 2013 battle with Mark Hunt, which resulted in a draw.
Hector Lombard– failed a post UFC 182 drug test and served a 1-year suspension. Since returning he is 0-2.
Kimbo Slice– failed a post-fight drug test after defeating Dada5000 in February.
Of all the big fight camps nobody has had more recent drug test failures than American Top Team.
