Light heavyweight competitor Nick Roehrick made his UFC debut at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale, suffering a third round TKO loss to Jared Cannonier.
It was revealed a short time later that the fighter was notified by USADA for failing an out of competition drug test that took place on August 8. The fighter was found to have illegal substances like clomiphene and 4-hydroxyclomiphene in his urine sample.
Here is a statement from USADA on the fighter’s suspension:
USADA announced today that UFC® athlete, Nick Roehrick, of Denver, Colo., has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted the maximum one-year sanction for his anti-doping policy violation.
Roehrick, 30, tested positive for clomiphene and its metabolite, 4-hydroxyclomiphene, following an out-of-competition urine test conducted on August 8, 2017. Clomiphene is a Specified Substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Clomiphene is not approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the male population, meaning such off-label clinical use has not been thoroughly studied for safety and efficacy. Clomiphene also indirectly promotes the secretion of testosterone. Increasing testosterone, especially when combined with strength training, has been demonstrated to increase fat-free mass, muscle size, and strength in males, potentially leading to performance enhancement in sport.
Roehrick’s one-year period of ineligibility, the highest sanction for a first offense involving a Specified Substance, began on August 17, 2017, the date his provisional suspension was imposed.
Pursuant to the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, all UFC athletes serving a period of ineligibility for an anti-doping policy violation are required to remain in the USADA registered testing pool and make themselves available for testing in order to receive credit for time completed under his or her sanction.
USADA conducts the year-round, independent anti-doping program for all UFC athletes. USADA is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental agency whose sole mission is to preserve the integrity of competition, inspire true sport, and protect the rights of clean athletes. In an effort to aid UFC athletes, as well as their support team members, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on the UFC Anti-Doping Program website (UFC.USADA.org) regarding the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. In addition, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, Drug Reference Online (UFC.GlobaDRO.com), conducts educational sessions, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, and periodic athlete alerts.
Since Roherick failed a test on August 8 of this year and since his suspension is retroactive to that date, then he is going to be returning to action on August 8 of next year.
