UFC strawweight Jessica Penne draws 18-month suspension following positive drug test

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) strawweight Jessica Penne has been slapped with an 18-month suspension following a positive drug test back in March, one that uncovered issues with her biological passport -- overturning a negative result upon first screening.

United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) detected “increased degree of variability in urinary biomarkers measured in the sample,” which led to further testing and ultimately, the detection of anabolic steroids.

Penne, however, was able to draw a reduced sentence after proving she was prescribed dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) by her physician, though it should also be noted the Invicta FC import failed to obtain a retroactive or prospective Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

The suspension is retroactive to April 23.

That’s where Penne suffered a unanimous decision loss to Danielle Taylor at the UFC Fight Night 108: “Swanson vs. Lobov” mixed martial arts (MMA) event on FOX Sports 1, which took place inside Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

See you in 2019.