UFC lightweight Gleison Tibau expects to drop the appeal of two positive drug tests stemming from his most recent fight, he told MMAjunkie. In doing so, he will accept a likely two-year suspension from the UFC’s anti-doping partner, USADA.

“I’ll take the minimum punishment under the new rules, which is a two-year suspension,” he said today. “So I’ll take the two years.”

USADA officials could not immediately be reached for comment. The firm handles drug testing and results management for the UFC.

According to the UFC’s anti-doping policy, athletes who are found to have committed an anti-doping violation face a two-year suspension for an “non-specified substance or prohibited method” and a one-year suspension for a specified substance. Up to two years can be added to a sentence where “aggravating circumstances” are present. They also risk a disqualification of bout results “including, without limitation, forfeiture of title, ranking, purse or other compensation.”

This past December, USADA notified Tibau (34-11 MMA, 17-9 UFC) that he failed an out-of-competition test in connection with his bout against Abel Trujillo (12-7 MMA, 3-3 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 77, which took place Nov. 7 at Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo. He was later notified of an in-competition failure in connection with the bout, which ended controversially when Trujillo claimed he didn’t submit to a first-round choke attempt.

After news broke of the positive tests, Tibau released a statement in which he revealed he tested positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), but indicated he was innocent and would investigate USADA’s findings.

“I will talk to my medical staff in the next days to find out where we made a mistake, and will do what we can in my trial,” he wrote. “I fight professionally for 16 years, nine being inside the UFC, and was never in this situation. It tastes bad, like a loss inside the cage, but will be a big lesson, as experience to become more alert as an athlete of what can or can’t be done in the sport’s anti-doping policy.

“I believe the justice will punish if needed, but also clear me if proven.”

This past Wednesday, Tibau told MMAjunkie his case was pending and he was having “regular” meetings with “scientists, doctors and lawyers.” He said he was in direct communication with a lawyer representing USADA and said the process was moving forward without disagreements or conflicts.

But today, he said USADA asked him whether he wanted to continue his appeal or stop the process, which prompted his decision to end his appeal.

Tibau did not divulge any additional details on USADA’s communication or what led to the request, but he said the cost of the appeal process prompted his change of heart.

“It won’t do any good to spend all this money, to simply reduce the penalty by three to six months,” he said. “It’s not worth it. The expense is too great to try to appeal this. So I think I’ll end it now.

“It’s mentally draining, to be in court. I’ll just talk to my team and my manager and tell them I don’t want to appeal. So that’s it – two years – two years years without stepping into the cage. It’s hard for me. I’ve always loved to compete, to be active. Maybe it’s time for me to reinvent myself, learn new techniques, and come back better, stronger and more versatile.”

Although Tibau has never held a UFC title, he is noteworthy in the promotion for his record. He has the most appearances of any lightweight in the promotion and is the winningest fighter in the division with 16 victories. He is also tied with Matt Hughes and Frank Mir for the most UFC fights at 26.

Prior to UFC Fight Night 77, Tibau had never failed a drug test, though he had twice missed weight.

Asked about his plans during the suspension, Tibau was unsure of his next step.

“Until the process came to an end, I had no plans,” he said. “I think that the UFC and USADA had good intentions in setting up these tests and inspections. But two years is very long, indeed. I think one year was plenty. Maybe they didn’t think that fighters live from fighting, and only earn money when they fight. We have a contract with the UFC, but we have no salary. It’s tough.

“I don’t know what I’ll do in the next two years, but the bills won’t stop coming. If I don’t fight, I have no money. Now, I really don’t know what to do, or where to go.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 77, check out the UFC Events section of the site.