BJ Penn removed from UFC 199 due to IV usage

MANILA, Philippines – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was forced to cancel BJ Penn’s return to active competition as the two-division world champion has been suspended due to a violation of the organization’s anti-doping policy. 

The 37-year-old Hawaiian disclosed his usage of IV in the pre-fight drug test, which is prohibited by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed BJ Penn of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation,” the statement read. “Penn disclosed the usage of a prohibited method – the use of an IV in excess of 50 ML in a 6-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.” 

Pursuant to the UFC anti-doping policy, “all IV infusions and/or injections of more than 50mL (~3.4 tablespoons) per 6 hour period are prohibited at all times, both in- and out-of-competition, except for those legitimately received in the course of hospital admissions, surgical procedures or clinical investigations, without an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).” 

As a result of his provisional suspension, Penn was scratched off from the UFC 199 pay-per-view card on June 4 as he was booked to square off with late replacement Cole Miller in a 3-round featherweight bout.

With Penn out of UFC 199, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization is seeking a short-notice opponent to face Miller, who will be making his first appearance in 2016 and is coming off an anticlimactic no contest against Jim Alers last December due to an accidental eye poke in the second round. 

The last time that Miller had his hand raised in triumph was when he submitted Sam Sicilia with a second-round rear-naked choke in January 2014. 

UFC 199, which takes place at The Forum in Los Angeles, California, features two championship clashes as co-headlining main events. 

Newly-minted UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold locks horns with Michael Bisping in a rematch, while bantamweight titleholder Dominick Cruz battles longtime rival Urijah Faber for the third time. – Rappler.com