This New UFC Fighter Didn’t Get An Exemption From USADA…

Emil Meek made a name for himself when he knocked out controversial former UFC veteran Rousimar Palhares at Venator FC 3 last May in Milan, Italy. In the aftermath of such an impressive win, Meek signed on with the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion and was scheduled to compete on September 3, 2016, at UFC Hamburg in Germany.

He has since been pulled from his scheduled debut, however, as he recently disclosed medical treatment he had been receiving prior to his entry with the UFC that could potentially violate USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) guidelines. Check out the UFC’s statement below:

“As part of the athlete onboarding process, Emil Meek voluntarily disclosed medical treatment he received prior to signing with UFC that is potentially out of compliance with UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy. As a result, Meek will not compete in his previously scheduled bout on September 3, 2016 in Hamburg, Germany in order to allow him time to consult with his physician and evaluate his medical treatment.

“Given Meek’s medical treatment occurred before his signing with UFC, he is not subject to any potential anti-doping violations under the policy relating to that treatment. However, UFC is requiring Meek to be enrolled in USADA’s registered testing pool for a period of four months before he is placed on a fight card in the future.”

What’s interesting to note here is that the UFC is requiring Meek to be entered into the USADA testing pool for four months prior to competing. Recently, we have seen the promotion draw criticism when they granted former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar an exemption from entering this pool prior to his highly-anticipated return at July 9’s UFC 200. It has since been made clear that Lesnar tested positive for banned substances twice regarding that bout.

For his part, Meek released a lengthy statement to his fans on his Facebook page:

Dear Valhalla Army….

It is with an heavy heart and axe I write this.
Due to medical reasons as stated in the UFC press release below, my entrance to the UFC cage is postponed for later this year.

For all my friends and supporters in the ‪#‎ValhallaArmy‬ who has bought tickets to the fight in Hamburg – I’m truly sorry. I am devastated, but be sure… I am coming to Hamburg to watch the tournament with you, and we are gonna make it an epic night, not soon forgotten.

I got signed up for the debut fight before my enrollment in the UFC was complete.
Going from Venator to UFC involves a way stricter regiment as to what kind of medication I’m allowed to use.
We have decided it was not worth the risk. The result was pulling out of my upcoming fight in Hamburg. It changes nothing when it comes to my relationship with UFC, other than that my debut in the Octagon will be pushed to around December.

Let me stress that I have not failed any drug test whatsoever! This is merely a preliminary precaution.
I’ve been enrolled with USADA’s registered testing pool to prepare since for my bout since June. As a fighter I’m happy and personally, I feel safer to compete under the USADA’s anti-doping policy.

I feel sorry for Jessin Ayari, I hope we can fight another day!

Do you agree with how the UFC is handling Meek?