UFC welterweight removed from this weekend’s fight card even though he didn’t fail USADA test

UFC welterweight George Sullivan has been pulled from this weekend's UFC on Fox 20 fight card.

The veteran 170 lber was preparing to fight Hector Urbina in Chicago on Saturday night but has been removed from the card after voluntarily disclosing a high-risk supplement to the UFC's anti-doping partner, USADA. Sullivan was then pulled from the event in spite of the fact that he didn't fail any of his drug tests, as the UFC explained he would not be allowed to compete "out of an abundance of caution." The 35-year-old explained in a statement that he has been using the supplement in question for years and claims to have disclosed that fact to USADA and the UFC ahead of his previous bouts.

"As anyone that knows me or follows me on social media is aware, I am an outspoken advocate for keeping MMA clean of PEDs," Sullivan wrote on Facebook. "I was shocked when I was told that I could not fight this weekend. I did not fail a test. I was pulled from the card due to a natural supplement being on my list of supplements that I voluntarily disclosed to USADA.

"This supplement has been on my list that I have disclosed to both the UFC and USADA prior to my previous fights. I have been tested for PEDs countless times in my career by different testing authorities, including USADA. I have never tested positive for any banned substances. I want to thank everyone that supports me. I plan to do whatever it takes to clear my name. I am confident that my name will be cleared."

It should be pointed out that Sullivan is not facing a potential anti-doping policy violation.

Below is USADA's statement on the matter and they claim that, before the most recent sample collection, Sullivan had not flagged the supplement in question.

"Given that the athlete has publicly addressed this matter, USADA can confirm that it has initiated an investigation following Mr. Sullivan's declaration of a high risk 'dietary supplement' during an out-of-competition sample collection on July 13, 2016. At no time prior to last week had Mr. Sullivan made this declaration during a USADA sample collection. As of now, USADA has not concluded that a policy violation was committed and Mr. Sullivan has not been notified of a potential anti-doping policy violation. Nonetheless, given Mr. Sullivan's declaration, and the strong possibility that the product he declared contains a prohibited substance, USADA will continue to thoroughly investigate the matter."

The UFC claim that they are searching for a replacement opponent for Urbina, who will weigh in as usual on Friday.