Angela Hill return delayed due to USADA rule

Angela Hill fought just once before entering The Ultimate Fighter 22. She lost her first fight on TUF, to eventual tournament winner Carla Esparza. Then she fought in the Finale beating Emily Kagan; that earned her a UFC contract.

Hill lost to Tecia Torres and Rose Namajunas, and was released, only to be reborn in Invicta FC. She won two, won the title, and defended it successfully.

Then it appeared that she was back, vs. Jessica Andrade at UFC 207 on December 30, 2016 at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. However, USADA requires returning fighters to spend four months being tested.

The requirement can be waived, most notably if the fighter left the UFC prior to the adoption of the new anti-doping policy. This happened disastrously with Brock Lesnar, who failed a PED test, but the results did not come back until after he fought and beaten an now irate Mark Hunt. Hill by contrast left the UFC in December of 2015, well after the program’s start on July 1.

“I really wanted to get one more fight in this year,” said a tearful Hill, as transcribed by Marc Raimondi for MMA Fighting. “I thought it was going to be a really good fight for me. I knew I could beat her. I’m really sorry. I just wanted to let all my fans know that I’m not ducking her, I’m not a punk. I was ready to jump in there when no one else wanted to and fight a really tough opponent and have a great fight and put on a show for the fans. But it’s not gonna happen this year.”

Sorry guys, I know it was rumored I was fighting in Dec but it's not happening, here's why. pic.twitter.com/VOEyldLPLs

— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) December 13, 2016

“>December 13, 2016

Hill will begin USADA testing on Tuesday, and is not sure what’s next. Andrade’s coach Gilliard Parana said the UFC is seeking a new opponent for his fighter.