http://mmajunkie.com/?p=199846 UFC anti-doping partner USADA today announced a six-month suspension for UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn, retroactive to the March 25 date he admitted using a banned IV. That means Penn (16-10-1 MMA, 12-9-1 UFC) will be eligible to fight on September 25, clearing him from a desired booking at UFC 205, which takes place Nov. 12 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Penn on Sunday called out his two-time opponent, former welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre (23-2 MMA 19-2 UFC). http://ufc.usada.org/jay-dee-penn-accepts-doping-sanction/ June 27, 2016 USADA announced today that Jay Dee (“BJ”) Penn of Hilo, Hawaii, an athlete in the UFC, has accepted a 6-month sanction for an anti-doping policy violation for his use of a prohibited method. During an out-of-competition test on March 25, 2016, Penn declared the use of an intravenous infusion of a non-prohibited substance. A subsequent investigation by USADA revealed that the intravenous infusion received by Penn was administered in a volume greater than 50 mL within a 6 hour period. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, intravenous infusions in a volume greater than 50 mL within a 6 hour period are prohibited, except for those legitimately received in the course of hospital admissions, surgical procedures or clinical investigations. Intravenous infusions received in any other setting require an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). Penn, 37, voluntarily disclosed his use of the intravenous infusion and fully cooperated with USADA’s investigation into the circumstances regarding his violation. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, the standard period of ineligibility may be reduced due to an individual’s voluntary admission of a violation and/or pursuant to an analysis of the individual’s degree of fault for the violation. Here, after taking both of those factors into consideration, USADA determined that a 6-month period of ineligibility was an appropriate sanction under the rules for Penn’s violation. Penn’s period of ineligibility began on March 25, 2016, the date on which he admitted his anti-doping policy violation to USADA. 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. The anti-doping program run by USADA for UFC athletes includes education, science and research, testing, and results management. Official UFC Anti-Doping Program information and athlete resources are available at UFC.USADA.org.
Probably goes without saying that they notified Penn of his suspension yesterday which is why he called out GSP for November and didn't seek an earlier date.
