USADA has flagged George Sullivan for a “potential compliance issue” with the UFC’s anti-doping policy stemming from “voluntarily disclosed information” Sullivan provided to USADA. Due to this issue, Sullivan has been removed from his fight with Hector Urbina from the UFC on Fox 20 card this Saturday.
Sullivan denies the issue on his Facebook page.
As anyone that knows me or follows me on social media is aware, I am an outspoken advocate for keeping MMA clean of PEDs. I was shocked when I was told that I could not fight this weekend. I did not fail a test. I was pulled from the card due to a natural supplement being on my list of supplements that I voluntarily disclosed to USADA. This supplement has been on my list that I have disclosed to both the UFC and USADA prior to my previous fights. I have been tested for PEDs countless times in my career by different testing authorities, including USADA. I have never tested positive for any banned substances. I want to thank everyone that supports me. I plan to do whatever it takes to clear my name. I am confident that my name will be cleared.
The UFC has issued a statement on Sullivan:
UFC competitor George Sullivan voluntarily disclosed information to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that could pose a potential compliance issue with the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. Out of an abundance of caution, Sullivan has been removed from his scheduled bout on Saturday night against Hector Urbina while USADA conducts an investigation into the matter.
Urbina will still weigh in as a potential backup opponent should there be a need for him to compete in another bout on Saturday. Otherwise, he will be re-booked for another card in the near future.
Payout Perspective:
Unlike most UFC anti-doping infractions, it appears that Sullivan did not fail a test but a supplement he listed on his pre-fight questionnaire is at question. Should Sullivan have been pulled from his fight if it was a “potential compliance issue” and not related to a test USADA flagged. This is disappointing for Sullivan and his opponent Urbina who most likely will go without a fight Saturday and may, at best, receive his show money.
These guys just can’t keep clean
I put this on the same list as BJ Penn’s suspension of things that don’t matter. If he didn’t test positive for anything, why does it matter what supplements he’s taking? And just like in BJ’s case, this is something the fighter is voluntarily disclosing. I’m all about ending PEDs in fight sports, but either they pop you or they don’t. “He hasn’t tested positive, but we’re going to pull him from the card” is bullshit.