UFC Middleweight fighter Yoel Romero was awarded a massive $27.45 million after failing a drug test in 2016, from a supplement he used which was laced with ibutamoren (Growth hormone release stimulator). But, he was originally going to get $9 million, however; the damages triple due to consumer fraud, per of the New Jersey ‘Consumer Fraud Act’.
Yoel Romero’s manager Abraham Kawa shared this information with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani explaining that: (h/t MiddleEasy)
“$27.45 million is the total Yoel was awarded — $3 million for lost wages, $3 million for reputable harm, $3 million for emotional damage … multiplied that times three for the state of New Jersey ‘Consumer Fraud Act.’”
Wow!#HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/668bKdan0H
— Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) May 28, 2019
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The company who supplied the tainted supplements is Gold Star performance Products and Romero could have faced a two-year suspension if the drug test results held. But he originally was given a lesser suspension by the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) until he decided to take legal action.
Yoel Romero likely had the biggest sigh of relief after everything was said and done. A two-year ban is an eternity for a top-level fighter like Romero, who’s the #2 ranked middleweight right now.
He was so happy, that he could only show his gratitude in a Twitter post…
“God is always good“.
God is always good #iseeyousoonboi thank you @Abraham_kawa @FirstRoundMgmt @malkikawa @athleteslawyer #iluhju
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) May 28, 2019
This is great news for Yoel Romero and he’ll live to see another day in the octagon. He’s an amazing fighter and thankfully his life wasn’t ruined over unresolved corruption. Romero now will have upper hands in his war of words with Paulo Costa.