'TUF 25' winner Jesse Taylor accepts 1-year suspension for clomiphene

Welterweight Jesse Taylor will have to wait for redemption.

UFC anti-doping partner USADA today announced Taylor, 34, has accepted a one-year suspension after an out-of-competition drug test conducted Aug. 22 found the estrogen blocker clomiphene in his system.

Taylor’s (31-15 MMA, 1-1 UFC) suspension is retroactive to Sept. 13, the day his provisional suspension began and he was officially removed from a fight next month at UFC Fight Night 121 when his potential anti-doping violation was announced. Taylor’s originally scheduled opponent, Belal Muhammad (12-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC), will now face Tim Means.

The one-year suspension is the highest sanction possible for a first-time offender who tests positive for a specified substance.

Clomiphene is considered a specified substance in the class of hormone and metabolic modulators. The drug indirectly promotes testosterone production and can be used to cycle off steroids. Banned year-round, it’s the same drug ex-champs Brock Lesnar and Jon Jones were flagged for in connection with UFC 200.

Following news of his positive test, Taylor indicated he didn’t knowingly cheat and asked the public to withhold judgment until all the facts of his case were known.

“The truth will come to Light! I am just as shocked and surprised by this tragedy,” he wrote on Instagram a month ago. “Our Team is looking into this matter. Let due process do it work before judging on the matter. Those that know me know this is wrong. We will Fight this and I will be back. I am sorry to Aussie friends and fans but that fight is off due to to this matter I am very bummed but we will get to bottom of this. I’ll Be BaCk.”

The suspension comes after a remarkable career turnaround for Taylor, who was kicked off “The Ultimate Fighter 7” for misbehaving off-set after the conclusion of the reality show. He entered “TUF 25,” a redemption-themed season of the show, and beat three UFC vets before submitting Dhiego Lima in the final to win the tournament and secure a new UFC contract.

Here is USADA’s full announcement:

“USADA announced today that UFC® athlete, Jesse Taylor, of San Diego, Calif., has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted the maximum one-year sanction for his anti-doping policy violation.

“Taylor, 34, tested positive for clomiphene following an out-of-competition urine test conducted on August 22, 2017. Clomiphene is a Specified Substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

“Clomiphene is not approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the male population, as its use has not been thoroughly studied for safety and efficacy. Clomiphene also indirectly promotes the secretion of testosterone. Increasing testosterone, especially when combined with strength training, has been demonstrated to increase fat-free mass, muscle size, and strength in males, potentially leading to performance enhancement in sport.

“Taylor’s one-year period of ineligibility, the highest sanction for a first offense involving a Specified Substance, began on September 13, 2017, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. As a result of his positive test, Taylor was removed from the Card for the UFC Fight Night event in Sydney, Australia, scheduled for November 18, 2017.

“Pursuant to the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, all UFC athletes serving a period of ineligibility for an anti-doping policy violation are required to remain in the USADA registered testing pool and make themselves available for testing in order to receive credit for time completed under his or her sanction.

“USADA conducts the year-round, independent anti-doping program for all UFC athletes. USADA is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental agency whose sole mission is to preserve the integrity of competition, inspire true sport, and protect the rights of clean athletes. In an effort to aid UFC athletes, as well as their support team members, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on the UFC Anti-Doping Program website (UFC.USADA.org) regarding the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. In addition, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, Drug Reference Online (UFC.GlobaDRO.com), conducts educational sessions, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, and periodic athlete alerts.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 121, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.