‘Cyborg’ Rep Claims Positive Test Due to Post-Fight Therapy for Severe Weight Cut

A representative for Cristiane Justino claims that the fighter’s recently announced anti-doping violation does not involve performance enhancing drugs.

Ray Elbe, “Cyborg’s” rep and boyfriend, wrote on The Underground forum that she was likely flagged because of treatment she received for a grueling weight cut leading up to her most recent UFC bout. Justino defeat Lina Lansberg via second-round TKO at UFC Fight Night 95 at a 140-pound catch-weight on Sept. 24.

“Not for a steroid, and she has a prescription as part of the post fight therapy she's been receiving due to the severe weight cut,” Elbe wrote. “This has been known for a few days, and Cris’ doctor has been in direct contact with USADA turning over all the necessary patient files to document the reasons Cris needs the medication.”

Justino was flagged by USADA for an out-of-competition sample collected on Dec. 5. The Brazilian’s difficulties making 140 pounds in the UFC have been well documented and were part of the reason why she was unable to accept a 145-pound title bout without at least 12 weeks’ notice.

Elbe said that the physical problems for her most recent weight cut to 140 pounds necessitated the treatment.

“Cris had issues with her kidneys and blood pressure and that's part of a prescription she's been seeking for therapy,” Elbe wrote.

“Cris’ [doctor] works with several Olympic and UFC athletes who are also under USADA testing and this was part of the treatment given to her the Monday after the weigh ins. Cris has not misused the prescription and has been assisting USADA with every request,” Elbe continued. “I'm not a [doctor] and so I don't know the specifics of the prescription and the treatment purpose of each ingredient, but this treatment process is the reason Cris turned down a fight Feb. 11, as her [doctor] said the three cuts in eight months were damaging her body.”

Even if Justino’s doctor speaks out on her behalf, the fighter could still face some type of penalty from USADA. However, Elbe is adamant that Justino is not using steroids; she tested positive for stanozolol following a title defense in Strikeforce in 2011.

“It’s really a shame. Cris will inevitably receive some penalty from this. She needed the medicine to recover from the weight cut. People slammed her for not fighting Feb. 11---but she was recovering from the extreme weight cut and was in treatment. Her doctor told her the three cuts in eight months were becoming dangerous,” Elbe wrote.

“Cris Cyborg already learned the risks of steroids in 2011. [In] 2016 Cris Cyborg learned the risks of extreme weight cutting. She isn't using a steroid, and her fans can be confident that her intent wasn't PED but rather health related.”