B.J. Penn flagged by USADA for IV use, pulled from UFC 199

The return of MMA legend B.J. Penn will have to wait. The UFC announced Monday that Penn has been pulled from his UFC 199 bout against Cole Miller and provisionally suspended for a "potential Anti-Doping Policy violation" with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

According to a UFC statement, Penn disclosed the use of an IV "in excess of 50 mL in a six-hour period" during a USADA out-of-competition drug test taken on March 25.

The use of IVs over 50 mL per six-hour period are prohibited both in-competition and out-of-competition by World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines, "except for those legitimately received during a hospital admission, surgical procedure, or as part of a diagnostic clinical investigation." The UFC are currently searching for a replacement opponent to fight Miller.


The UFC's statement can be read below.


"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."


Penn (16-10-2) is a 37-year-old former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion who last competed in July 2014, when he lost via third-round TKO to Frankie Edgar. A UFC Hall of Famer, Penn retired after the Edgar fight, but announced intentions to return to the sport this past February under the guidance of Team Jackson-Winkeljohn in Albuquerque, N.M.

Penn made the following statement to BJPENN.COM regarding his admitted use of an IV to USADA:



“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.”

LOL


This is an article from July 2015 ...



B.J. Penn supports UFC's IV rehydration ban, says 'IVs are for wimps'


The UFC’s new partnership with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) went into place on July 1. Details are still being unpacked, but one aspect of the new oversight is a ban on the use of IVs for rehydration.

Many fighters use an IV for rehydration purposes immediately after weigh-ins. In some instances, the method is the safest way for athletes to recover and compete effectively after large weight cuts, which are commonplace in the sport.

The official ban doesn’t go into place until October because of the unfair impact it would have on fighters already scheduled to compete. However, that hasn’t stopped athletes from voicing displeasure with the newly implemented rules.

One former fighter and soon-to-be UFC Hall of Famer doesn’t have any problem with the new rules, though. Former two-division UFC champ B.J. Penn (16-10-2 MMA, 12-9-2 UFC) revealed on Twitter that he supports the IV ban and hopes it changes the culture of how athletes cut weight.



BJ PENN @bjpenndotcom

I love the new PED and IV ban in the UFC. I never took an IV in my life after a weigh-in. IVs are for wimps! #BeerAndHotDogs

1:54 AM - 6 Jul 2015



While the IV ban will have a huge impact for fighters that are accustomed to the rehydration method, fighters who don’t use IVs, like Penn, may now be at an advantage.

Penn was notorious for his willingness to fight at any weight throughout his 13-year career. His retirement bout this past July took place in the featherweight division, but prior to that “The Prodigy” tested his skills at lightweight, welterweight and even an open weight fight in which his opponent was classified as a heavyweight.

The 36-year-old is no longer an active member of the sport, but that doesn’t stop him from voicing his opinion on certain subjects. This was one of them, and Penn had no problems labeling athletes that complain about the ban as “wimps.”

Alex Caceres replaces BJ Penn, faces Cole Miller at UFC 199



Former "Ultimate Fighter" stand out Alex Caceres has stepped in to replace BJ Penn at UFC 199 and he will now face Cole Miller on the card on June 4 from Inglewood, Calif.

UFC officials confirmed the fight to FOX Sports on Wednesday.

Caceres accepts the fight after Penn was pulled from the card just days ago following a potential anti-doping infraction where the UFC Hall of Famer admitted to using an IV ahead of a drug test back in March.

Caceres now faces Miller in just over one week as he looks to get his second win in a row inside the Octagon.

Most recently, Caceres defeated Masio Fullen at FOX UFC Fight Night in New Jersey, which moved his Octagon record to 6-6 with one no contest overall.

Miller was also a late replacement to the card after he stepped to fill a spot vacated by Dennis Siver following an injury to the German born fighter.

B.J. Penn receives six-month suspension from USADA for IV use