UFC welterweight reacts to second USADA violation, vows to clear up ‘misunderstanding’ that canceled UFC 208 bout

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight George Sullivan was all set to fight Randy Brown at the upcoming UFC 208 pay-per-view (PPV) event, set for Feb. 11, 2017 inside Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Their 170-pound showdown would have marked his first appearance since his United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) violation last summer (more on that here), but then history seems to have a way of repeating itself.

Sullivan was notified of a second violation stemming from an out-of-competition drug test administered back on Jan. 14.

“It's a misunderstanding about a fertility pill I started taking three weeks ago to try and have a baby,” Sullivan wrote on Facebook. “I'm sad that it came to this, my doctor and I are shocked and we will clear this up. I have all the documents to prove it. I love my wife and starting a family is everything to us.”

The promotion promised a “fair legal review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed,” but said process will likely take several weeks to play out.

Not enough time to get back on the UFC 208 card.

Sullivan, 35, joined UFC back in 2014 after nearly a decade in mixed martial arts (MMA). With an overall record of 17-5 (1 NC), the New Jersey native compiled a 3-2 mark inside the Octagon and hasn’t been seen since falling to Alexander Yakovlev in early 2016.

UFC is currently searching for a replacement to fight Brown next month in Brooklyn.