Self-Reporting and Suspension Details

Khalil Rountree’s upcoming fight at UFC 307 against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira remains scheduled despite a self-reported positive drug test that led to a suspension. The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) handed Rountree a four-and-a-half-month suspension after he tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an anabolic steroid banned under UFC’s anti-doping rules. Rountree’s suspension, which began retroactively on May 4, will end on September 18, allowing him to compete on October 5 in Salt Lake City.

The positive test came after Rountree ingested a blended supplement containing DHEA, which was sent to him by a supplement company without his approval. Documentation provided to the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) program verified the supplement’s accidental use, and the company admitted to a “massive oversight” in sending these products. Rountree was praised by the NSAC for his honesty and cooperation throughout the process, which influenced their decision on the suspension’s duration.

Impact on UFC 307 and Reactions

Rountree was initially suspended for two months by the UFC’s CSAD program and was removed from a previous fight against Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 due to the failed test. Despite his temporary suspension, Rountree remains eligible for the UFC 307 main event, drawing some criticism from other fighters, including Hill, who argued that such leniency undermines the sport’s integrity. Hill posted on social media:

“This is terrible for the sport and makes the rankings completely pointless”.

In addition to Rountree vs. Pereira, UFC 307 will also feature women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington defending her title against former champion Julianna Peña. The event promises high stakes and intense competition, despite the controversy surrounding Rountree’s eligibility.

Rountree’s Statement and Future Prospects

During the NSAC hearing, Rountree expressed gratitude to the commission:

“I just want to say thank you guys for looking into the details of the matter. It definitely has made a huge difference in everything that’s happening right now in my life. I’m just really appreciative of you guys for taking the extra time to look into the details.”

Rountree’s willingness to come forward and rectify the situation quickly was a key factor in his reduced penalty. According to CSAD and SMRTL (Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory), the amount of DHEA consumed by Rountree did not provide any significant performance advantage, which further supported the decision to reduce his sanction.

With his suspension set to end just in time, Rountree’s focus will now be on his next challenge in the octagon as he aims to secure the light heavyweight title against Pereira at UFC 307.

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