In the world of UFC, where every fighter’s journey is a hard-fought battle, some comebacks don’t land with cheers.

José Henrique, a Brazilian fighter who made a brief appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, is facing a rough reception after being re-signed by the UFC.

Despite never officially debuting due to a drug test failure, Henrique is now cleared to fight—and fans are less than thrilled.

The 29-year-old fighter announced his re-signing via Instagram, but his UFC journey has been anything but smooth. Henrique was initially sidelined after failing a drug test for nandrolone, a banned substance.

The test, which came after his loss on the Contender Series, resulted in a two-year suspension from USADA. Despite this setback, Henrique was signed by the UFC in March 2023, only for the suspension to retroactively delay his debut until now.

During his layoff, Henrique stayed active by securing four consecutive victories in Brazil. However, UFC’s decision to move forward with him has stirred controversy.

Critics, including fans and commentators, have voiced concerns, arguing that bringing back a fighter with a tarnished past sends the wrong message.

One fan summed up the sentiment: “Terrible signing.” Another chimed in, “Did you look into who this kid has ‘fought’? Lmfao… seems suuuuper legit.”

UFC president Dana White and the promotion are under fire, with accusations that this move reflects a lowering of standards in a push to fill cards.

Whether Henrique’s return signals redemption or reckless disregard for the sport’s integrity remains a hot topic. As the UFC’s attention shifts to his long-awaited debut, the question is clear: can Henrique prove he belongs, or will the critics prove right? Only time will tell.

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