Kelvin Gastelum will no longer get to fight Anderson Silva. The UFC contender was pulled from the fight scheduled for UFC 212 in Brazil this June after he was flagged for a potential anti-doping violation by USADA. The positive test was triggered by marijuana metabolites during an in-competition test for his fight in March against Vitor Belfort, according to a statement from UFC.
He has been placed under a provisional suspension by the company.
While it is a fairly silly infraction, it is just the latest in what has been a disappointing start to Gastelum’s career. Gastelum, 25, won “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2013 over Uriah Hall by split decision. He has since missed weight on three different occasions, the most recent coming at UFC 205 when he wasn’t even close to the 170-pound welterweight limit and withdrew.
Gastelum (14-2) is still riding a three-fight winning streak.
Silva, meanwhile, still wants to fight on the card in Brazil, but needs an opponent. Top contender for the 185-pound belt, Yoel Romero, is interested in taking on Silva, but wants it to be for the interim belt, according to Ariel Helwani.
