Gilbert Melendez suspended two years by USADA after independent arbitrator issues ruling

Former title contender Gilbert Melendez was released from the UFC last year, but he will still face a two-year suspension as a result of a drug test taken prior to his exit from the promotion.

On Monday, the United States Anti-Doping Agency released a statement confirming that an independent arbitrator ruled in its favor with a two-year suspension handed down to Melendez following a positive drug test taken on Oct. 16, 2019.

“Melendez, 38, tested positive for GHRP-6 and its metabolites GHRP-6(2-5)-OH and GHRP-6(2-6)-OH as the result of a urine sample collected out-of-competition on October 16, 2019,” USADA officials said in a statement. “GHRP-6 is a non-Specified Substance in the class of…