Legendary competitor Roberto ‘Cyborg’ Abreu was among several grapplers who failed recent PEDs tests administered by USADA and he’s now opened up on the topic and given his statement on the news. Cyborg will serve a three-year suspension from IBJJF competition along with four other grapplers, after he tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites shortly after he won the IBJJF no gi World Championship in 2022. He has won that same event on multiple occasions over the years and has been a permanent fixture on the podium of the most prestigious Jiu-Jitsu tournaments on the planet for almost two decades, winning his first IBJJF major all the way back in 2005.
Serving a three-year ban from IBJJF competition at the age of 42 likely means that we never see Cyborg competing in the adult division of those tournaments again, and he took the opportunity to share his thoughts on the news:
“Please no hypocrisy. The world needs to get over the fact that if athletes like us are going to train as hard as we do; as often as we do; as intensely as we do; for as many years as we have, then we all have to take the steps necessary to make sure we can recover and keep training. I’m 42 years old completing 43 this year, and I believe nobody has ever done what I’m doing at this moment, winning worlds at adult division at 40/41/42 three years consecutive being the best Heavy weight NoGi in history of IBJJF winning 7 World titles on Ultra Heavy Division division and 1 absolute. Having my opponents most of the time being much bigger and almost 20 Years younger then me… I’m not bragging, but this is incredible And a great mark for us older guys. HRT is super beneficial for athletes over 30. Everything I take is prescribed by a doctor and is professionally followed by his team accords to my needs. And I highly suggest it. More than medals what we want is to be able to live a healthier life, be able to recover and continue to enjoy Jiu Jitsu. We are making no money from IBJJF and we are having to compete against much younger athletes who are allowed to be on everything for professional events. So basically we are competing for the fun at IBJJF, not getting payed like UFC for instance, while (none) of THE PROFESSIONAL EVENTS ARE TESTING.”
“Also only the champs tested, what about the second place guys getting the title, did they test??? No. Is it fair?? NO. In my opinion if IBJJF wants to take it seriously and wants to make it professional as they say, it’s ok, test everyone, adults and master division. Make it fair to everyone and start paying to make it professional. Otherwise people will Have to choose, on being able to Compete and perform at a professional level or compete at IBJJF. I’ve already won multiple world titles and I’m ok on sitting out, but the newer athletes who got suspended are loosing a great moment of their lives. It’s very sad to have them put (away) on their prime. Specially now testing athletes on their work schedule visiting their gyms and seminars to make them test.. Does it makes sense?? Invade your privacy when you are paying to compete?? Reality is uncle Borg Won his 8th World title at 42 years old scoring 79 points and being unscored on.. I feel The greatest I’ve ever been and it’s a shame I won’t be able to continue to perform and break records at IBJJF. But Life goes on!!”
As Roberto ‘Cyborg’ Abreu mentions in his statement, several of the athletes who were banned from IBJJF competition for three years as a result of failed PEDs tests were still in their athletic prime and their grappling careers will obviously suffer as a result. In fact, these five competitors who were recently announced are just the ones who have accepted their sanctions. According to Craig Jones, there’s another major young gi grappler who also failed a PEDs test last year but has not been revealed yet as they are currently undergoing arbitration.
The full statement by Roberto ‘Cyborg’ Abreu on his recent failed PEDs test was shared in a post to his official Instagram account:
