Yahoo Sports B.J. Penn Removed from UFC 199 for Potential Anti-Doping Violation
Former UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn has been removed from the UFC 199 fight card after being flagged by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for a potential anti-doping policy violation.
Penn was scheduled to take on Cole Miller on the June 4 fight card at The Formum in Inglewood, Calif., and the UFC is currently seeking a replacement. On Monday, the UFC released a statement regarding Penn's removal from the event.
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“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,” read the statement.
Penn retired from fighting after suffering a third loss to Frankie Edgar in July 2014. In January, the 37-year-old announced his intentions to return to competition. This is the second time his return has been scrapped. He was scheduled to participate on the UFC 197 fight card on April 23, but was removed from the event after criminal allegations surfaced. The UFC launched an investigation and later cleared Penn of any wrongdoing.
