UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn has been removed from his UFC 199 fight with Cole Miller due to aUSADA violation in March.

Official statement. via UFC.com

“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed BJ Penn of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation. Penn disclosed the usage of a prohibited method – the use of an IV in excess of 50 ML in a six-hour period – during a March 25, 2016, out-of-competition sample collection. In accordance with the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, Penn has received a provisional suspension, and has been removed from his scheduled bout against Cole Miller on June 4 in Los Angeles.

“UFC will announce a replacement opponent for Miller shortly, and additional information will be provided by USADA and UFC at the appropriate time as the process involving Penn moves forward.

Penn responded on his website.

I voluntarily disclosed to USADA that during a non-fight period that I had an IV administered under the care of a doctor.

The rule for IV usage had changed since my last fight in the UFC and was unaware of the change and voluntarily disclosed the information to USADA. I had no idea that IV use was banned 365 days a year.

At no time in my career in martial arts have I ever doped and anticipate all test results from USADA will come back clean and will be working with the UFC to get the matter cleared up and return to fight as soon as possible.

Use of an IV of over 50 ML is prohibited because doing so can mask the presence of prohibited substances. There is no suggestion here that this was Penn’s intention.

As noted, the UFC is now looking for an opponent for Miller.