USADA granted the UFC light heavyweight a retroactive therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for his use of an inhaler which had a prohibited substance as an active ingredient, the UFC’s anti-doping partner announced Friday. He will not face an anti-doping policy violation.
Villante disclosed that he was using a Breo Ellipta, a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or asthma, during a Jan. 18 urine sample collection done by USADA, the release stated. The Breo Ellipta contains the banned substance vilanterol, which Villante ended up testing positive for. Vilanterol is prohibited at all times and is listed as a Beta-2 Agonist (drugs that cause smooth muscle relaxation) under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.