It looks like UFC bantamweight standout Sean O’Malley will be eligible to return to the Octagon in March of 2019. The 24-year-old took the unusual step of publicizing a failed drug test on his own in early October, despite the UFC’s recent policy change in regards to public disclosure of these sorts of issues. And now the Nevada Commission has ruled on his case.
O’Malley tested positive for ostarine in an out-of-competition sample taken ahead of his expected UFC 229 bout with Jose Quinonez, and stated that he believed that it came from a tainted supplement. This is the same issue that many fighters have faced lately. And despite the standard NAC suspension being one year for this sort of thing according to officials, they only gave O’Malley six months after an adjudication agreement. This was because there were “circumstances in which the respondent takes responsibility for the adverse analytical findings”.
He can fight again as of March 6th, unless USADA disagrees with Nevada’s decision and comes up with a different punishment. Generally though, the two usually reach the same conclusions. O’Malley was also fined $472.42 in legal fees. He did not have a cut of any fight purse taken because he did not compete.
O’Malley (10-0) broke out with a big knockout win on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series last year. He has followed it up with two UFC decsion wins, including his last one over Andre Soukhamthath where he badly injured his foot in the third round and actually did the post-fight interview lying flat on his back.
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