BJ Penn Suspended 6 Months by USADA for Anti-Doping Policy Violation

BJ Penn has received a six-month ban from the United States Anti-Doping Agency after he admitted to using a prohibited "intravenous infusion." 

In a statement released on Monday, the USADA revealed the UFC Hall of Famer's "period of ineligibility began on March 25, 2016," the same day as he disclosed the violation.

The statement included an explanation of Penn's breach:

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 six hour period.

Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, intravenous infusions in a volume greater than 50 ml within a six 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).

Per Steven Marrocco of MMA Junkie, the Hawaiian-born Penn, 37, will be able to fight again on September 25, which means he could appear at UFC 205 on November 12 in New York, potentially against former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

GSP has previously beaten Penn twice before.

Penn's ban could have been as long as two years, but his cooperation with USADA and the fact the substance he took is not banned in smaller doses meant his penalty was less severe, per Fox Sports' Damon Martin.

The former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion was initially meant to return from an 18-month break to face Dennis Siver at UFC 199 earlier this month, but the UFC removed him from the card when the potential doping violation emerged.

Penn's comeback has now been delayed further, and it is not known who he will face when, and if, he returns to the Octagon.

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