BJ Penn Receives Six-Month Suspension From USADA

BJ Penn had to pull out of his scheduled bout with Cole Miller at UFC 199 after he potentially violated the USADA Anti-Doping Policy. Penn said in an interview that his violation came about after he met with doctors regarding an issue with vertigo and motion sickness.

USADA announced on Monday that Penn has been suspended for six months. USADA issued the following:

USADA announced today that Jay Dee (“BJ”) Penn of Hilo, Hawaii, an athlete in the UFC, has accepted a 6-month sanction for an anti-doping policy violation for his use of a prohibited method.

During an out-of-competition test on March 25, 2016, Penn declared the use of an intravenous infusion of a non-prohibited substance. A subsequent investigation by USADA revealed that the intravenous infusion received by Penn was administered in a volume greater than 50 mL within a 6 hour period. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, intravenous infusions in a volume greater than 50 mL within a 6 hour period are prohibited, except for those legitimately received in the course of hospital admissions, surgical procedures or clinical investigations. Intravenous infusions received in any other setting require an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

Penn’s period of ineligibility began on March 25, 2016, the date on which he admitted his anti-doping policy violation to USADA.

Penn has not fought since 2014 and ended his career on a three fight losing streak. Penn is eligible to fight again on December 27th.