After the UFC announced that Felipe Ponce was ejected from his June 17 bout with Zhalgas Zhumagulov due to “medical reasons,” the former LFA flyweight champion took to social media to reveal the reason.
Bunes announced this week on his Instagram that he had been removed from the card “due to a drug test subject to further analysis.” Pons did not disclose the substance that caused the positive drug test.
He added, “I have provided all the necessary information, and I hope that all this will be settled in the coming days so that I can fight back soon.”
Bunes (13-6) is fighting from the Pitbull Brothers in Natal, Brazil, and has won three of his past four bouts to earn a shot at the UFC. The only defeat came to the overweight Jose Formiga in February 2022.
Zhumagulov has been moved to next week’s UFC event in Jacksonville, Florida, where he faces octagonal newcomer Joshua Van.
Check out Bunes’ full statement below.