Gilbert Melendez has been suspended for one year due to a positive drug test following his UFC 188 bout against Eddie Alvarez. Melendez had tested positive for exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites. The positive test result was first reported on Monday.

Melendez was scheduled to face Al Iaquinta at UFC Fight Night on July 15 in San Diego but the former Strikeforce lightweight champion has now been pulled from the card. Following the release of the test results Melendez issused a statement on the matter:

“Regrettably, I tested positive in my post fight urine sample for UFC 188. I did not inject anything, but I am responsible and accept the consequences for the results. I will make sure I am better educated about the products I use and their implications. Going forward I will ensure no products I use will contain banned substances. I am sincerely apologetic to everyone who supports me, including my fans, sponsors and the UFC. I value your trust and respect and will do everything in my power to keep it.”

This is the first offense for Melendez in the UFC and the first time in his professional career that he has been suspended for failing a drug test. The suspension is retro active to the UFC 188 event date which took place on June 13. This is a major blow the Melendez’ UFC career and at 33 years old the lightweight fighter’s hopes of every capturing UFC gold may have just flew out the window.