UFC's James Mulheron accepts one-year suspension for anti-doping violation

UFC heavyweight James Mulheron will be sitting out most of 2018.

Mulheron (11-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC), a 29-year-old Englishman, accepted a one-year suspension by UFC anti-doping partner USADA for a failed drug test conducted prior a November fight, which was slated for UFC Fight Night 122 in Shangai.

In a press release, USADA announced Mulheron failed an out-of-competition test due to clomiphene and its metabolite, hydroxyclomiphene – a specified substance in the class of hormone and metabolic modulators that is prohibited year-round. The suspension is retroactive to Nov. 17, 2017.

Mulheron was pulled from the Nov. 25 event and his card-opening fight with Cyril Asker after the UFC announced his potential anti-doping violation.

Here’s the full release:

“USADA announced today that UFC® athlete, James Mulheron, of South Shields, United Kingdom, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted the standard one-year sanction for his anti-doping policy violation.

“Mulheron, 29, tested positive for clomiphene and its metabolite, hydroxyclomiphene, following an out-of-competition urine test conducted on November 10, 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) or the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) 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.

“Mulheron’s one-year period of ineligibility began on November 17, 2017, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. As a result of his positive test, Mulheron was removed from the Card for the UFC Fight Night event in Shanghai, China, scheduled for November 25, 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.”

Mulheron, a former heavyweight champ for the England-based M4tC 22 promotion, suffered a decision loss to Justin Willis in his July 2017 UFC debut. It snapped a four-fight winning streak and was just his second loss in a career that includes six knockouts in 11 career victories.

Mulheron is eligible to fight again on Nov. 17 of this year.

For more on UFC Fight Night 122, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.