Rothwell suspended for two years
USADA announced today that Ben Rothwell, of Kenosha, Wis., has accepted a two-year sanction for a violation of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.
In 2013 heavyweight Ben Rothwell was suspended for nine months by the UFC after a pre-fight test at UFC 164 showed elevated levels of testosterone. Rothwell was reportedly undergoing Testosterone Replacement Therapy at the time, but apparently did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption.
Over a year ago, then ranked #5 in the world, Rothwell was scheduled to fight Fabricio Werdum at UFC 211 in May of 2017, but was provisionally suspended by USADA. Now the UFC has announced that Rothwell has accepted a two-year suspension.
USADA announced today that Ben Rothwell, of Kenosha, Wis., has accepted a two-year sanction for a violation of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
Rothwell, 36, tested positive for the presence of an anabolic androgenic steroid of exogenous origin following out-of-competition tests conducted on February 6, 2017, and February 15, 2017. Sophisticated carbon isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) analysis confirmed the presence of a synthetic anabolic agent in Rothwell’s sample. Exogenous anabolic androgenic steroids are classified as non-Specified Substances in the category of Anabolic Agents and are prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
Upon notification of his potential violation, Rothwell claimed that his positive test had resulted from his physician’s prescription of testosterone. During USADA’s investigation, Rothwell submitted medical records demonstrating that testosterone was prescribed and administered to him by his physician. Although Rothwell’s use of testosterone was under the supervision of his physician, USADA’s independent Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) committee determined Rothwell was unable to meet the criteria to obtain a TUE to authorize his use of the prohibited anabolic agent under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.
Rothwell’s two-year period of ineligibility began on February 6, 2017, the date his first positive sample was collected.
‘Big Ben’ will be eligible to return to the Octagon in about ten months.