UFC Flyweight Fighter Suspended for One Year After Failed Doping Test

UFC Flyweight fighter Rachael Ostovich has had a very stop-start MMA career. Ever since she turned pro in 2014, she has fought more than once just in 2014 and 2017. She has had a rough personal life too, with her husband pleading no contest to assaulting her. Now it appears that Ostovich’s personal troubles have spilled into her professional life too. 

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Rachael Ostovich suspended by the USADA

The 29-year-old fighter submitted an out of competition sample ahead of UFC Fight Night 168. Here she tested positive for ostarine and GW156 metabolites. Based on the doping agency’s statement, the consumption of the prohibited substance was unintentional. As a result, the fighter will only be out of action for a year rather than the usual 2 years.

As per the statement, “During an investigation into the circumstances of the positive test, Ostovich-Berdon identified a supplement she had tried, which was analyzed at the World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory in Salt Lake City.”

Despite accidentally consuming the substances, the USADA awarded her a suspension. However, she did inadvertently consume another prohibited substance. 

“Although ostarine and GW1516 were not listed on the supplement label, the analysis revealed that the product contained ostarine and GW1516, the substances for which Ostovich-Berdon tested positive. The product label listed another prohibited substance, but Ostovich-Berdon did not realize at the time that it was prohibited. Consistent with other cases with similar circumstances, USADA determined that a small reduction from the default two-year period of ineligibility was justified.”

As Ostovich showed that she did not intend to use unfair means in competition, she received a lighter period of ineligibility as per the revised UFC ADP. This shows MMA fans that the fighter gave full prompt and truthful responses to inquires made by the USADA officials. 

Ostovich has not competed in the UFC for 17 months. She last appeared at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs Dillashaw and lost to Paige VanZant. The ineligibility period will see her time on the sidelines increase even more.

Can the Flyweight use this as motivation to spark a stunning rebound and improve a 4-5 record? Or is it the end of the career in the UFC after just 3 fights?