UFC Heavyweight Walt Harris states that he will take legal action against the maker and distributor of a supplement that caused him to be suspended per the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.
A win over Andrei Arlovski was overturned due to the failed USADA test. It was discovered that a supplement he ingested was tainted with the anabolic agent LGD-4033.
Harris, speaking to reporters this week ahead of his upcoming fight against Sergey Spivak, he indicated that he was upset about his reputation being damaged. Issues of jurisdiction remain a question prior to filing of Harris’ lawsuit according to his representatives.
In recent memory, Lyman Good and Tim Means have filed lawsuits against supplement makers and distributors based on their USADA suspensions. Both cases are still pending New York and New Mexico respectively.
USADA had reduced its mandatory two-year sentence for a first offense to four months due to mitigating circumstances as Harris worked with USADA and was able to pinpoint the supplement which caused the issue. It was Harris’ first offense.
Payout Perspective:
While Harris may have viable claims, the question will be whether he will want to endure the time and cost it will take for him to go through a lawsuit. Also, is he willing to disclose information about his earnings to recover damages and restore his name? Harris received just a 4-month suspension and had his win reversed to a no-contest. Damages may be minimal as opposed to the legal costs involved. MMA Payout will keep you posted.
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