Carlos Mota Suspended Two Years for Doping Violation

Brazilian fighter Carlos Mota has been suspended for two years by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after testing positive for meldonium, a prohibited substance, in his UFC debut in October. The flyweight accepted the fight just four days before it happened and ultimately lost to Cody Durden. Mota is now facing a two-year suspension from competing in the UFC or any other professional mixed martial arts event in Nevada. This suspension is effective immediately and will last until October 2022. The Commission also issued a $2,500 fine against Mota and ordered him to pay all costs associated with his drug test. He must also complete an approved drug rehabilitation program prior to being eligible for reinstatement into the sport. This news comes as a shock to many fans of MMA who had high hopes for Mota's future in the sport. After winning several fights on the regional circuit, he was signed by the UFC earlier this year and was expected to make an impact on their flyweight division. Unfortunately, his career has been put on hold due to this doping violation. MMA fighters are subject to random drug tests throughout their careers, but they are also responsible for knowing what substances are banned by each governing body that regulates their fights. Meldonium is one such substance that has been banned since 2016 due to its performance-enhancing properties; however, some athletes may not be aware of its inclusion on lists of prohibited substances or may have taken it unknowingly due to contamination from supplements or medications they have taken previously without knowledge of its presence therein. It remains unclear if Mota knowingly took meldonium prior to his fight with Durden or if he simply wasn't aware that it was banned; either way, he will now face a lengthy suspension from competition while paying hefty fines and completing rehab programs before being allowed back into the sport again at some point down the line.