Will we ever see ‘The Prodigy’ fight again?
BJ Penn has been provisionally suspended and had his return to the Octagon indefinitely postponed due to a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation under USADA’s rules.
Penn, who was scheduled to face Cole Miller at UFC 199 on June 4, has thus been pulled from the card after admitting to the use of an IV.
Below is a statement released by the UFC pertaining to Penn’s situation, explaining how the Hawaiian featherweight had disclosed to USADA that he had intravenously rehydrated, a practice that has been prohibited in the UFC since last year.
“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed BJ 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 former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion hasn’t fought in almost two years but looked to have re-motivated himself under the tutelage of Greg Jackson.
He was initially slated to fight Dennis Siver in his comeback fight on the undercard of UFC 199 before Siver pulled out with an injury and was replaced by Cole Miller.
‘The Prodigy’ released a statement of his own via his website in which he revealed that he was unaware of the new regulations in place.
“I voluntarily disclosed to USADA that during a non-fight period that I had an IV administered under the care of a doctor.
“The rule for IV usage had changed since my last fight in the UFC and was unaware of the change and voluntarily disclosed the information to USADA. I had no idea that IV use was banned 365 days a year.
“At no time in my career in martial arts have I ever doped and anticipate all test results from USADA will come back clean and will be working with the UFC to get the matter cleared up and return to fight as soon as possible.”
