Rothwell hit with 9-month suspension
Following a win over Brandon Vera at UFC 164, heavyweight Ben Rothwell tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone and has been suspended nine months for the infraction, UFC announced Thursday.
According to a statement Thursday from the UFC, Rothwell's drug test was handled by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional services and the results returned showed the levels above legal limits.
Rothwell had been approved before the fight for a therapeutic use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy, but the limits for the usage of the treatment must still land within legal boundaries. Rothwell's test came back high, and he was flagged for the result.
Because of legal boundaries within their current codes working as an athletic commission, Wisconsin was unable to punish Rothwell for the infraction, but the UFC opted to step in and offer a suspension instead.
"As the result of a blood test indicating an elevated level of testosterone in his system following UFC 164 in Milwaukee, WI, on August 31, the UFC has suspended heavyweight Ben Rothwell for nine (9) months from the date of the contest," the UFC statement read.
"Rothwell’s post-fight blood test was administered by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. While the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services has elected not to impose any discipline on Rothwell, to date, the UFC holds its athletes to a high standard of personal and professional conduct and finds that Rothwell’s actions merit the suspension as a violation of the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and his Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC."
Rothwell won his fight against Vera by third round TKO. There has been no word from the Wisconsin commission if there is any chance the bout could be overturned because of the positive drug test or if that also falls under their initial laws that prevented them from punishing Rothwell for the offense.
Rothwell must also complete a drug test and have the results
come back negative before his next fight in the UFC.
