Chad Mendes’ positive drug test for Growth Hormone-Releasing Hexapeptide (GHRP-6) was triggered by a cream used to treat his lifelong skin condition, a source close to Mendes told BloodyElbow.com. The UFC featherweight contender used the cream without knowing it contained GHRP-6, per the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

GHRP-6 is part of a class of drugs called growth hormone releasing peptides. It “is a substance which is designed to increase your body’s natural production of growth hormone,” as written by Iain Kidd in a recent story on the banned substance.

It was announced last month that Mendes had failed an out-of-competition drug test administered by USADA, the UFC’s anti-doping partner, on May 17. Mendes was later given a two-year provisional suspension retroactive to June 10. Therefore, Mendes will be eligible to compete again beginning on June 10, 2018. He will be 33 years old.

“I didn't do my homework and that was a big mistake,” Mendes tweeted last month. “I own it and I'm going to pay for it.”

Mendes (17-4) is a longtime featherweight contender and has fought for UFC gold on three occasions. “Money” is 1-3 in his last four outings, which includes title losses to Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor. In his last fight, he suffered a devastating stoppage loss to Frankie Edgar. His lone win since the start of 2014 is an impressive first-round TKO over Ricardo Lamas.

BloodyElbow.com will provide updates on the story as it develops.