B.J. Penn has been pulled from next week’s UFC 199 event due to a violation of USADA’s anti-doping policy.
In a statement released via UFC.com, the organization revealed that Penn disclosed that he’d used an IV prior to an out of competition test, leading to a diluted sample which violated their policy.
Said the UFC:
The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed B.J. Penn of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation. Penn disclosed the usage of a prohibited method – the use of an IV in excess of 50 ML in a six-hour period – during a March 25, 2016, out-of-competition sample collection. In accordance with the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, Penn has received a provisional suspension, and has been removed from his scheduled bout against Cole Miller on June 4 in Los Angeles.
UFC will announce a replacement opponent for Miller shortly, and additional information will be provided by USADA and UFC at the appropriate time as the process involving Penn moves forward.
The UFC Hall of Famer has now been pulled from two events in 2016 as he attempted to make a return the cage following a near two year absence.
Penick’s Analysis: Well, it’s not to the level of the sexual assault allegations that pulled him from UFC 197 and remain outstanding in Hawaii, but it’s a further disappointment nonetheless. It’s also going to mean forced retirement if he winds up getting a two-year sanction here, although it’s entirely possible it becomes a lesser term dependent on his explanation. We’ll find out in time. Regardless, he’s once again not making the return he’s discussed since the beginning of the year.
[Photo (c) Stephen R. Sylvanie via USA Today Sports]
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