On Jul7 21, UFC welterweight George Sullivan was pulled from UFC on FOX 20, after he voluntarily disclosed information to USADA that was flagged as a potential compliance issue.

Sullivan responded on July 22, via Facebook.

“As anyone that knows me or follows me on social media is aware, I am an outspoken advocate for keeping MMA clean of PEDs,” he wrote. “I was shocked when I was told that I could not fight this weekend. I did not fail a test. I was pulled from the card due to a natural supplement being on my list of supplements that I voluntarily disclosed to USADA. This supplement has been on my list that I have disclosed to both the UFC and USADA prior to my previous fights. I have been tested for PEDs countless times in my career by different testing authorities, including USADA. I have never tested positive for any banned substances. I want to thank everyone that supports me. I plan to do whatever it takes to clear my name. I am confident that my name will be cleared.”

UFC on FOX 20 happened on July 23, without Sullivan.

A month later, Sullivan was informed by the US Anti-Doping Agency of a potential violation, and was given a provisional suspension, following an investigation based on the voluntarily disclosed information.

UFC was made aware today by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, that it has informed George Sullivan of a potential anti-doping violation and provisional suspension based on his declaration of a prohibited substance.,” read the official statement from UFC.com. “UFC previously announced that Sullivan voluntarily disclosed this information to USADA and, out of an abundance of caution, Sullivan was removed by UFC from his scheduled bout on July 23, 2016, in Chicago. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, Sullivan’s declaration of the use can be taken into consideration by USADA during the results management and adjudication process.

USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, a full and fair legal review process is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed.

Testing for PEDs is clearly far more complex than it appears to be. However, USADA should consider a higher degree of transparency and explanation, to avoid the impression that they can be over zealous.

BJ Penn was administered an IV under the care of a doctor in excess of 50 ML in a six-hour period, and voluntarily disclosed that he had done so during an out of competition test. Penn, who has never failed a PED test, and is extremely vocal about the use of PEDs in MMA, was suspended for six months. That does not seem fair or reasonable. Complex rules are put in place to stop drug use, but if the rules are broken for reasons having nothing to do with drug use, then the tail is wagging the dog, and that is not just.

Maybe Sullivan should have known that the supplement he voluntarily disclosed could get him in trouble. Maybe he was mistaken that he had previously informed USADA he was taking it. But USADA is giving the impression of being heavy handed. It is entirely possible that they are not, at all, but a higher degree of transparency and explanation could go a long ways towards lessening the impression.

UFC vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky talks about using a smell test in determining whether an athlete gets extra testing. Brock Lesnar, for example, was test five times in a week.

There is also a smell test for guys who appear to clean. George Sullivan smells clean. In the eyes of many fans, he now appears to be another guy who got caught, and that does not seem fair. It has been over a month. A clear statement on what the issues are would be important and reasonable.

At some point – who knows when – there will be a players association in MMA, just as there is in other mainstream sports. One of the items negotiated will be league response to drug testing. If USADA can develop a reputation for being an entirely fair, reasonable, and open organization, then the present testing process, which appears to be very effective, may perhaps remain. But if they maintain a reputation for heavy handedness, the program could be gutted in time. And that would be bad for everyone.