BJ Penn’s comeback officially went from bad to worse to worst on Monday wit the announcement that the former two-division UFC champion was pulled off another UFC event, this time due to a violation of one of USADA’s policies. The UFC made the announcement on their website:
“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.”
BJ Penn has seen better days… Photo by Sherdog.com.
IVs are banned due to their alleged ability to mask or dilute traces of PEDs in bloodwork. There is absolutely no scientific evidence to conclusively prove they can be used in this way, however, and the ban is instead in place due to anecdotes from PROFESSIONAL CYCLISTS. It’s hard to look at this incident as anything other than the latest example of the absurdity and heavy-handedness of the UFC-USADA partnership.
Clearly what works for PED users in cycling will be 100% applicable in MMA. Photo by Lance Armstrong on Twitter @lancearmstrong.
All that said, Penn’s comeback was doomed even before this.
Penn was previously set to compete against Dennis Siver at UFC 198, but was pulled from the fight after accusations of sexually assaulting the girlfriend of a former friend. Penn vehemently denied the claims and a UFC investigation resulted in his reinstatement (not that this actually means anything) but regardless, it was a very bad look for a fighter that many were already wanting to see retire.
Photo by Sherdog.com.
It’s anyone’s guess what happens next with Penn. The UFC-USADA program is still trying to get itself sorted out so there’s no clear punishment to be leveled on Penn. Just like with Lyoto Machida…they’re making it up as they go along.
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