B.J. Penn removed from UFC 199 due to USADA IV violation

This is starting to feel repetitive. Another UFC star has needed to leave the card of a UFC event. This time however, it was not due to injury. UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn (16-10-2) has been pulled from UFC 199 after a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

After retiring in 2014, Penn was set to return to face Cole Miller at UFC 199. The news regarding the 37-year old former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion came off as a huge shock to fans. According to MMA Fighting, Penn disclosed the use of an IV in excess of 50 mL in a USDA drug test in March. The use of IVs over 50 mL per six hour periods are prohibited according to the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Agency. The only exception would be during a hospital experience.

Penn released a statement on BJPENN.com in regards to the ban as a result of the IV. He said:

“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.”

That is a lot to digest for a casual fan. It is very interesting that “The Prodigy” has been using an IV during his fighting days and nothing was stated before. He also stated that he will not be investigated for any banned substance, and that he’s just penalized for not getting permission to use an IV. I would not be surprised if he is tested for illegal substances just to be sure there is nothing to worry about.

On the bright side, UFC 199 on June 4th will still have a great show without Penn on it. The event will be headlined by Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping along with Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber. It is just unfortunate that the future of the Hall of Famer is unclear once again. There is hope that more information can be provided and that the UFC world will get an update once the situation has subsided.

It has been a crazy few months for the UFC. Hopefully the company can regain their ground just in time for UFC 200.