It was revealed this week that UFC middleweight Cung Le tested positive for elevated levels of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) after his August fight in Macau. In a statement released to MMA Junkie�Thursday, however, Le denies undergoing the banned HGH treatment or taking any other banned performance-enhancing drugs.
?I was completed surprised at the results of my recent drug test...I was informed by the UFC that I passed my pre- and post-fight drug test, as well as the majority of the blood tests with the only abnormality being an elevated level of HGH being determined to be present. I tested negative for anabolics, stimulants, diuretics, masking agents and my testosterone levels were within World Anti-Doping Agency and Nevada State Athletic Commission Approved limits a total of three times over two urine tests and a blood test collected both before and after my fight," Le said in his statement.
The fighter went on to say that he believes that some mistakes in the testing could be to blame for his levels of HGH testing as too high.�?I have been informed that there are many possible reasons for a level of HGH to exceed what is allowed unknowingly and my doctors are researching those possibilities, which may include a much more serious health concern," he said.
"I have also been informed about the unreliability of the current HGH testing that exists and it?s high rate of inaccuracy."
The 42 year-old concluded by categorically denying that he took any banned drugs, which could have led to his HGH levels exceeding allowable limits.�?I want to reiterate to my fans and the fans of mixed martial arts everywhere that I did not take any performance-enhancing drugs or anything that would cause my natural level of HGH to exceed normal levels," he claimed.
To read more of Le's statement, click here. Le's manager Gary Ibarra went into more specifics about what he says the fighter's team has learned of alleged irregularities in the way the UFC tested Le.
?Upon our independent review of the laboratory procedures when testing for PED?s, it has been clear that the possibilities for incorrect test results are many. We were informed that the laboratory was advised to use the WADA approved rules and procedures when conducting the testing that they administer, yet the lab in Hong Kong contracted to do the testing was not WADA approved, which was surprising since there was a WADA approved lab available in Beijing, China," he said.
?The blood sample was collected post-fight when the natural HGH levels are the least reliable as the body in an attempt to heal itself will naturally release more HGH, but even more of a concern is that the more reliable and WADA required test for HGH known as the IGF-1 test was never conducted on the sample. When we contacted the UFC to request that this more reliable test be conducted, we were informed that this was not possible as the lab only retained the sample for a week following the fight. WADA regulations require that samples are to be frozen and held for 10 Years, so that they can be re-tested in the event of a challenge.'�
"WADA rules state that when testing for HGH, the lab must use the 'Isoform Differential Immunoassays' or ?the Isoforms Test,' a procedure which requires the IGF-1 test be performed.
?Again, this test was not performed by the lab and was could not subsequently be performed as the sample had been destroyed. The WADA regulations also state that:
?Since the total levels of HGH secreted into circulation vary naturally, are widely fluctuating over time and may be influenced by several factors not associated with doping, it is practically impossible to develop an anti-doping test based simply on the measurement of increased total HGH concentrations.?"
Ordinarily, the UFC is subject to athletic commission regulation for its fighters and events. However, the UFC now often holds events abroad where there is no substantive athletic regulation, and so it then self-regulates.
Le's August fight against Michael Bisping in Macau was the main event of one such event. The UFC's double standard of saying it only holds events domestically where it can be regulated for things like performance-enhancing drugs, while also claiming to regulate itself in order to hold events in un-regulated territories like Macau has long been a philosphically dissonant position.
Begining now with Le's case, we may now see situations where fighters challenge the UFC's dubious self-regulation arrangement. According to Ibarra, not only did the UFC not follow ordinary guidelines for testing HGH levels, HGH level testing itself is a difficult enterprise to undertake.
?There is a reason why HGH is still not tested for in all major sports leagues, the tests that exist are unreliable and present many opportunities for inaccuracy for a multitude of reasons," he claimed.
"As was stated in the UFC?s press release in regards to our client, the results of the testing they conducted showed an elevated level of HGH, but as WADA states, the possibility for incorrect results are more than probable when testing for elevated levels of HGH especially when a non-WADA approved lab is used."
Le was initially suspended by the UFC for nine months for his failed drug test. After criticism of that punishment as too lenient, however, the UFC decided to change the fighter's suspension to a year in length - in an apparent double punishment for the same infraction.
We will keep you posted with more details in this story as they develop.
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