UFC welterweight Lyman Good draws reduced suspension for USADA anti-doping violation

Former Bellator MMA welterweight champion, Lyman Good, was yanked from his planned showdown against 170-pound stalwart Belal Muhammad at the UFC 205 pay-per-view (PPV) event last November in New York, following his United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) violation.

Read our initial report here.

As a result of his infraction, which returned positive for 1-androstenedione and its metabolite, 1-(5α)-androsten-3α-ol-17-one, Good was sat for six months, retroactive to Oct. 24 of last year.

In the wake of his failed drug test, Good was adamant that he did not intentionally cheat and vowed to clear his name (those comments here). The dietary supplement he was taking at the time was subsequently submitted to the WADA-accredited laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah, and returned positive for 1-androstenedione.

Without 1-androstenedione being identified on the product label or disclosed anywhere in the online description, the product was deemed contaminated and afforded Good a reduced sentence.

From USADA:

Athletes are reminded that even seemingly low-risk dietary supplements may contain prohibited substances, which may not be listed on the Supplement Facts label, thus USADA encourages athletes through Supplement 411 to challenge the reasons for using supplements and make themselves aware of how to reduce their risks of a positive anti-doping test and/or an adverse health event.

Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, as well as the World Anti-Doping Code, the determination that an athlete’s positive test was caused by a contaminated product may result in a reduced sanction. The sanction for a doping offense resulting from the use of a contaminated product ranges from a reprimand and no period of ineligibility, at a minimum, to a two-year period of ineligibility, at a maximum.

Good is eligible to return later this month.