Tom Lawlor gets 2-year suspension from USADA for ostarine

UFC light heavyweight Tom Lawlor is suspended for two years following a positive test for ostarine, the promotion’s anti-doping partner USADA today confirmed.

In a news release, USADA said the veteran fighter accepted the two-year sanction after failing an out of competition drug test conducted this past October.

Lawlor’s suspension is retroactive to Oct. 10, the date his positive sample was collected, USADA said, meaning he’ll be eligible to fight Oct. 11, 2018.

Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that’s banned at all times under the WADA prohibited list. The drug is believed to be similar to anabolic steroids, but without negative side effects.

This past June, Tim Means accepted a six-month suspension from USADA after ostarine was found in supplements he was taking at the time.

Lawlor (10-6 MMA, 6-5 UFC) most recently competed in the octagon at UFC 196, losing a unanimous decision against Corey Anderson nearly a year ago. He has taken up pro wrestling since being sidelined and is scheduled to perform in a pro wrestling event in Las Vegas on Saturday.

A colorful character known for his theatrical weigh-in appearances and fight-night walk-ins, Lawlor made his way to the UFC as a cast member of “The Ultimate Fighter 8.”

Below is USADA’s full statement:

“USADA announced today that UFC® athlete, Tom Lawlor, of Las Vegas, Nev., accepted a two-year sanction after testing positive for a prohibited substance.

“Lawlor, 33, tested positive for ostarine following an out-of-competition urine test conducted on October 10, 2016. Ostarine is a prohibited substance in the category of Anabolic Agents and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the WADA Prohibited List.

“Ostarine, also known as MK-2866 and Enobosarm, is a non-FDA approved selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) which is illegally sold in the United States and globally as a performance-enhancing substance. Ostarine is not currently available as a prescription medication in any country, and its unauthorized use may carry serious side effects. Nonetheless, ostarine has been found as a declared and undeclared ingredient in many dietary supplements sold in the United States, which has prompted the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue warning letters to specific dietary supplement manufacturers stating that ostarine is an unapproved new drug and that selling the drug is in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).

“Lawlor’s two-year period of ineligibility began on October 10, 2016, the date his positive sample was collected.

“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 served under his or her sanction. Furthermore, if an athlete retires during his or her period of ineligibility, the athlete’s sanction will be tolled until such time the athlete notifies USADA of his or her return from retirement and once again makes him or herself available for no-advance-notice, out-of-competition testing.

“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 (www.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 (www.ufc.globaldro.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.”

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