Carlos Felipe removed from UFC Sao Paulo for potential USADA violation

UFC Sao Paulo will be taking place on Oct. 28 as scheduled, but Carlos Felipe will no longer be a part of it.

The UFC announced Tuesday that the 22-year-old heavyweight has been removed from his scheduled bout with Christian Colombo after the USADA informed him of a potential doping violation.

The potential violation for Felipe is said to have been found in an out-of-competition sample collected on July 29, 2017.

A substitute opponent for Colombo has yet to be named.

Below is the UFC's official statement on the matter:

The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Carlos Felipe of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on July 29, 2017. Because of the proximity to Felipe’s upcoming scheduled bout in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 28, 2017, against Christian Columbo, Felipe has been removed from the card and UFC is currently seeking a replacement.

USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Felipe. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.