Cung Le

By FCF Staff

After being suspended for one year by the UFC, for allegedly testing positive for human growth hormone in a recent drug test, Cung Le has issued a statement denying any wrong doing.

The 42 year-old Le, who is coming off a stoppage loss to Michael Bisping in August, had remained silent about the suspension until Thursday. The middleweight vet has issued a statement to MMA Junkie.com, however, where he has expressed his surprise regarding the test’s results.

Here is some of what the feared striker had to say:

“I was completed surprised at the results of my recent drug test,” Le’s statement reads. “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, which is what makes these HGH result so difficult for me to accept as correct. This has also caused me to call the testing procedures into question.

“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. I have also been informed about the unreliability of the current HGH testing that exists and it’s high rate of inaccuracy.

“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.”

The statement also includes comments from Le’s manager, Gary Ibarra, who also is calling into question the testing procedures which were used. In addition, Ibarra is claiming the the test was not conducted through a WADA approved facility, and that a more reliable type of test for HGH was not applied.

Le and Bisping fought at UFC FN 48, which was held at the Cotai Arena in Macao, China. Since there is no athletic commission in the region, the UFC oversees its own drug testing when it promotes events there.

Heading into the defeat, Le had scored consecutive wins over Rich Franklin and Patrick Cote.