Grant Dawson was initially released from the UFC in 2017 after allegedly failing a drug test issued by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), but the fighter fought the result in arbitration and USADA cleared him to compete again.
Dawson was then scheduled to compete earlier this year at UFC 246, but was pulled from the event by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) after they demanded more information about the fighter’s past USADA issues before granting him a license to fight.
The NAC met earlier this week according to MMA Fighting and has ruled that Dawson will have to undergo six more months of drug testing before being granted a temporary license to fight in the state. If Dawson passes all those tests, with a minimum of two tests per month, a temporary license can be granted by the NAC as soon as July 1.
Since Dawson is on the path to regaining a fighting license in Nevada, other states can allow Dawson to fight under their jurisdiction and the first one to do so is Virginia. Dawson was scheduled to face Chas Skelly later this month at UFC Fight Night Norfolk, but Skelly suffered an injury and was pulled from the card. UFC officials are seeking a replacement opponent for Dawson to fight, as he is expected to remain on the card at this time.
