Gouti gets reduced USADA suspension due to substantial assistance

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Thibault Gouti provided substantial assistance to USADA in exchange for a reduced suspension.

Thibault Gouti has been suspended six months by USADA for testing positive for multiple banned substances, the UFC’s anti-doping partner announced Tuesday.

The UFC veteran failed an out-of-competition drug test administered by USADA on March 12 for ostarine, LGD-4033 and its metabolite di-hydroxy-LGD-4033, and GW1516 metabolites GW1516 sulfoxide and GW1516 sulfone, according to a USADA statement.

Gouti used a dietary supplement for two days before realizing ostarine was listed on the label, per the statement. He then returned it to the store he got it from. USADA tested both the open and independently sourced, unopened containers of the product and determined it also contained LGD-4033 and GW1516, which were not listed on the label.

LGD-4033 and ostarine are both non-specified substances, which usually carry a suspension of two years.

Gouti’s suspension was reduced to six months because he returned the supplement shortly after purchasing it and he provided substantial assistance to USADA, per the statement.

Gouti, 32, last fought in October 2018 when he lost to lightweight prospect Nasrat Haqparast by unanimous decision. Gouti holds an Octagon record of 1-5 and stands at 12-5 as a pro.

Gouti will be eligible to return to action on Oct. 25, 2019. His suspension is retroactive to April 25, 2019, the date his provisional suspension was imposed.