FIVE Nogi World Champions suspended by USADA including Roberto Cyborg and Vagner Rocha

It is no secret that PED  use is rampant in many sports, including combat sports like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). However, it is essential to recognize that not all athletes engage in such practices. Many BJJ champions have achieved their success through hard work, dedication, genetics, and a commitment to fair play.

Fair play is an essential aspect of any sport. It is crucial that all athletes compete on a level playing field, and organizations such as the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) have implemented testing protocols to detect and deter PED use. These protocols ensure that those who engage in fair play are rewarded for their efforts and that those who cheat are punished accordingly.

USADA and IBJJF just announced that five IBJJF Nogi Worlds winners received suspensions for PED use.

Who was suspended?

Igor Nascimento da Costa Feliz (Future School Of Jiu-Jitsu) , 24, from Port San Lucie, Fla., tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites from an in-competition urine sample collected on December 11, 2022, at the World No-Gi Championships. He accepted a three-year period of ineligibility starting from January 24, 2023, the date he was provisionally suspended from competition.

Cyborg was absent from the podium saying he had a flight to catch, Ceconi hasn't said anything

Jonnatas Gracie (Atos), 25, from San Diego, Calif., tested positive for 19-norandrosterone (19-NA), a metabolite of nandrolone  and exogenous testosterone and its metabolites from an in-competition urine sample collected on December 11, 2022, at the World No-Gi Championships. He accepted a three-year period of ineligibility starting from January 25, 2023, the date he was provisionally suspended from competition.

Roberto  ‘Cyborg’ de Abreu Filho, 42, from Miami, Fla., tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites from an out-of-competition urine sample collected on December 20, 2022. He accepted a three-year period of ineligibility starting from January 27, 2023, the date he was provisionally suspended from competition.

This might explain why Cyborg was recently spotted competing at Grappling Industries.

Henrique Ceconi aka José Henrique Cardoso, 29, from Santa Catarina, Brazil, tested positive for 19-NA, a drostanolone metabolite, epitrenbolone (a trenbolone metabolite), methasterone, and exogenous testosterone and its metabolites from an out-of-competition urine sample collected on January 24, 2023. He accepted a three-year period of ineligibility starting from February 1, 2023, the date he was provisionally suspended from competition.

Vagner S. Rocha, 40, from Davie, Fla., refused to submit to sample collection after being notified by a USADA control officer during an out-of-competition test on December 23, 2022. He accepted a three-year period of ineligibility starting from January 11, 2023, the date he was provisionally suspended from competition.

Rocha previously made a public admission he’s on TRT.

One explanation for the series of suspensions possibly stems from the fact that USADA was hindered in testing previously due to the pandemic.

Vagner Rocha competed in MMA from 2009 until 2017 and amassed an MMA record consisting of 14 wins and 4 losses. The reason we’re talking about MMA training again is that, unlike BJJ, MMA features striking meaning that you’re subjecting yourself to repeated head trauma. There’s scientific proof that head trauma in men may be associated with low testosterone levels and sexual dysfunction through mechanisms that likely include hypopituitarism secondary to ischemic injury and pituitary axonal tract damage.

USADA’s is likely to have tested a total of 15 competitors after Nogi Worlds.

When you observe the dates it becomes apparent that USADA chased down the competitors that were absent from the podium with date of testing ranging from December 11th for Jonnatas Gracie to January 24th when Ceconi was tested.

It’s now reasonable to assume that at least a third of BJJ competitors are on PEDs considering 5 out of the 15 tests came back positive.