BJ Penn removed from UFC 199 for USADA anti-doping violation

Quote :

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.

“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.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/b-j-penn-removed-from-ufc-199-for-potential-anti-doping-violation

damn.. maybe this will set up a better fight for him in a few months. Jeremy stephens, Holloway, barao, aldo, McGregor, swanson...

Charles oliveria would be a sick fight against penn

I don't entirely understand the violation.
Why is he using IVs that far out from the fight? And if he is, what's the problem?
From the way it's worded, I don't think there was anything illegal in the IV, but he was just exceeding some kind of allowance.

I don't know, sounds flimsy.

OK, so here's where the infraction stems from apparently.
From the USADA website:

Quote :

In accordance with the WADA Prohibited List (Category M2 Chemical and Physical Manipulation), all IV infusions and/or injections of more than 50mL (~3.4 tablespoons) per 6-hour period are prohibited, except for those legitimately received in the course of hospital admissions, surgical procedures or clinical investigations. IV infusions and/or injections of more than 50mL per 6-hour period are prohibited at all times, both in- and out-of-competition unless the athlete has applied for and been granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) under the applicable anti-doping rules. Further, if a prohibited substance that is administered intravenously or via injection, a TUE is necessary for this substance regardless of volume.

Some reports suggest that administration of IV infusions, including dietary supplement and vitamin cocktails, are being provided to athletes for recuperation, recovery or lifestyle reasons. This medical practice is prohibited at all times without prior TUE approval. WADA has justified the inclusion of IV infusions on the Prohibited List given the intent of some athletes to manipulate their plasma volume levels in order to mask the use of a prohibited substance and/or to distort the values in the Athlete Biological Passport.

http://www.usada.org/is-it-prohibited-or-dangerous-for-athletes-using-iv-infusions-for-re-hydration-and-recovery/


So basically, it sounds like the implication is that excess use of IV "rehydration" is an attempt to mask the use of a banned substance.


Still sounds flimsy to me, though.

Heh ... oh Baby J ..... I'd suggest he complain to his mom again. Rules is rules... people much smarter than me make the rules, do it for the right reasons. Baby J doesn't do the IV doesn't get jammed up... simple.

Yeah I think most people are confused as to why IV use was banned.  Its not so much to keep guys from cutting weight and rehydrating with IV (although that is a direct result).  That in itself is not illegal.

IV can be used to mask illegal substance abuse.  These guys were keeping IVs on site and literally running to them when they found out they were about to be tested and popping them in their arms.

Yep.
Which is why trying to enforce the "PEDs" issue is a constant uphill battle.
Testing for certain drugs in the system or levels of hormones is easy.

However, now you have start constantly adding things to the banned list that can simply be used to cover up PED abuse. Even though these individual items are no cause for concern on their own.

It's already gotten to the point where athletes are cautioned from even eating certain foods (particularly in other countries) since they could create false positives. It's going to get to the point when all athletes will be subject to the exact same green slurry diet for 16 weeks leading up to their fight. Said slurry will only be allowed to be made by the top of chain USADA official.