USADA hands UFC's George Sullivan 1-year suspension for 2nd anti-doping offense

UFC welterweight George Sullivan has been sanctioned for his second anti-doping offense by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, receiving a one-year term for a banned substance and its metabolite.

Sullivan, 36, faced two years for his second offense. But USADA investigators took into consideration the factors surrounding his positive test, which resulted from an out-of-competition sample taken Jan. 14 just prior to a scheduled appearance at UFC 208.

Sullivan had disclosed he was taking prescription fertility medication and provided medical records to document his treatment, which wound up helping him when punishment was considered.

“USADA confirmed that Sullivan’s positive test was caused by Clomiphene Citrate, which he was using in a therapeutic dose under the care of a physician to treat a medical condition,” USADA said in a statement. “The prescribed use of the medication by Sullivan is considered an ‘off-label’ treatment, as Clomiphene Citrate is not approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for use by males.

“Under the UFC anti-doping policy, as well as the World Anti-Doping Code, an athlete’s period of ineligibility for using a prohibited substance may be decreased if the athlete lacks significant fault for the anti-doping policy violation. In this instance, USADA determined that Sullivan’s degree of fault was reduced because his use of Clomiphene Citrate was under the care of his physician for a documented medical condition. Accordingly, Sullivan received a reduction to one year from the standard two-year period of ineligibility that could have been imposed for a second offense involving a specified substance.”

Sullivan’s (17-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) period of ineligibility began Jan. 14, the date of his positive test. He was subsequently removed from a fight against Randy Brown at UFC 208.

When USADA notified him of his second potential violation, Sullivan was in the final days of a one-year suspension for his first run-in with the UFC anti-doping partner. He received the 12-month term for “declaration of a prohibited substance” and was pulled from a fight with Hector Urbina at UFC on FOX 20.

Sullivan is 3-2 in the octagon, with his most recent appearance ending in a knockout loss to Alexander Yakovlev at UFC on FOX 18. He made his debut at UFC on FOX 10, outpointing Mike Rhodes.

Here is USADA’s full statement:

“USADA announced today that UFC® athlete, George Sullivan, of Toms River, N.J., has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a one-year sanction for his second anti-doping policy violation.

“Sullivan, 36, tested positive for clomiphene and its metabolite, 4-hydroxyclomiphene, following an out-of-competition urine test conducted on January 14, 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.

“Upon notification of his positive test, Sullivan immediately identified a prescription fertility medication as the source of the prohibited substance detected in his sample. After a thorough review of the case, including the examination of medical records provided by the athlete, USADA confirmed that Sullivan’s positive test was caused by Clomiphene Citrate, which he was using in a therapeutic dose under the care of a physician to treat a medical condition. The prescribed use of the medication by Sullivan is considered an “off-label” treatment, as Clomiphene Citrate is not approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for use by males.

“Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, as well as the World Anti-Doping Code, an athlete’s period of ineligibility for using a prohibited substance may be decreased if the athlete lacks significant fault for the anti-doping policy violation. In this instance, USADA determined that Sullivan’s degree of fault was reduced because his use of Clomiphene Citrate was under the care of his physician for a documented medical condition. Accordingly, Sullivan received a reduction to one year from the standard two-year period of ineligibility that could have been imposed for a second offense involving a Specified Substance.

“Sullivan’s one-year period of ineligibility began on January 14, 2017, the date his positive sample was collected. As a result of his positive test, which was announced by UFC on January 26, 2017, Sullivan was removed from the Card for the UFC 208 event in New York, N.Y., that was held on February 11, 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.”

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