UFC middleweight Oskar Piechota accepts 22-month USADA suspension for doping violation

UFC middleweight Oskar Piechota will be out of action until 2022 after accepting a 22-month suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency after failing a drug test.

USADA officials announced the sanction on Wednesday.

“Piechota, 31, tested positive for growth hormone releasing peptide 2 (GHRP-2 or pralmorelin) and GHRP-2 (1-3) free acid, a metabolite of GHRP-2, as the result of a urine sample collected on September 25, 2020,” USADA officials said in a statement. “GHRP-2 is a Specified Substance in the class of Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and UFC Prohibited List.

“Piechota received a reduction to the default two-year sanction based on his Full and Complete Cooperation. His 22-month period of ineligibility began on September 25, 2020, the date his positive sample was collected.”

Based on that date, Piechota would be eligible to return to action after Sept. 25, 2022.

GHRP-2 is a growth-hormone releasing peptide, which is designed to increase the body’s natural production of growth hormone. Past fighters who have been suspended for use of GHRP-2 includes former middleweight and light heavyweight competitor C.B. Dollaway.

Piechota currently sports a 2-3 record with one no contest in the UFC. His previous fight was overturned after his opponent Marc-Andre Barriault tested positive for ostarine.