The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has cleared UFC star Cris "Cyborg" Justino of a potential violation, lifting her provisional suspension following her positive test for a banned substance late last year.
USADA made the announcement Friday, saying a thorough investigation into Justino revealed that she was using the drug Spironolactone for a medical condition, as prescribed by her physician. Spironolactone is a diuretic commonly used as a masking agent for steroids.
"Upon notice of her positive test, Justino immediately identified a medication prescribed by her physician for the treatment of a common endocrine disorder as the source of the prohibited substance detected in her sample," USADA said in a statement. "She also participated in multiple interviews with USADA's investigative team and consented to USADA interviewing her physician as well."
Justino had tested positive for Spironolactone -- which is prohibited at all times under the UFC's anti-doping policy -- following an out-of-competition urine test in December. The organization notified the UFC of the potential violation later in December.
In a statement after the UFC's initial announcement, Justino said she was prescribed the medication to address hypertension and to prevent ovarian cysts after she "had an electrolyte hydroelectric imbalance" and "significant loss of potassium" following her last fight, a TKO of Lina Lansberg on Sept. 24. That fight was contested at 140 pounds because the UFC didn't have a 145-pound division.
At the time, Justino said she has a history of cysts and when she arrived at the doctor she was bloated and weak and had a low white blood cell count.
USADA said Friday that Justino has been granted a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the drug.
"In the case of Justino, the application for a TUE was granted because the athlete had an unequivocally diagnosed chronic medical condition for which the use of Spironolactone is the appropriate standard of care," USADA said in the statement.
"Further, it was determined that the athlete and her medical team pursued and exhausted all non-prohibited alternatives and that the low dose of the medication is consistent with best medical practice to treat her condition and would return the athlete to a normal state of health without providing a performance-enhancing benefit.
"Because Justino's TUE application was granted retroactively, her provisional suspension has been lifted with immediate effect and her positive test will not result in an anti-doping policy violation. However, as a condition of the TUE approval, Justino will be required to continue to carefully document her medical care and must apply for a TUE renewal in advance of TUE expiry should she wish to maintain compliance with the UFC Anti-Doping Policy."
Justino now could be looking at a showdown with newly crowned UFC champion Germaine de Randamie. De Randamie became the promotion's first 145-pound female champion last weekend, when she defeated Holly Holm via unanimous decision at UFC 208 in Brooklyn.
Afterward, de Randamie said she is "not afraid" of Justino, but feels her next fight should be a rematch against Holm.