UFC newcomer Vince Murdock suspended until 2021 after failing drug test 

Guilherme Cruz, MMA Fighting

UFC newcomer Vince Murdock will have to sit out 20 months before he can make his Octagon debut after he was suspended by USADA for a failed drug test.

The 28-year-old UFC rookie, who trains out of Team Alpha Male, was originally expected to make his debut back in June but he was pulled from the card in the days leading up to the event after he was not medically cleared to compete.

Now USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) has suspended him for 20 months after he failed an out-of-competition drug test.

“Murdock, 28, tested positive for GW1516 metabolites GW1516 sulfoxide and GW1516 sulfone as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample collected on July 6, 2019,” USADA officials wrote in a statement. “GW1516, also known as GW501516 and cardarine, is a non-Specified Substance in the category of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.”

According to USADA, Murdock came forward and admitted past use of a banned substance prior to joining the UFC roster but he did not declare that on his original submission form when he was signed to the promotion, which could have saved him from the 20-month suspension he ultimately received.

“After being notified of his positive test, Murdock came forward with evidence of his use of this prohibited substance before entering the UFC Anti-Doping Program. Based on the specific details of the case, Murdock received a reduction from the otherwise applicable period of ineligibility,” USADA officials stated.

“Upon being added to the UFC Anti-Doping Program, athletes are required to declare medications and supplements they have used in the previous 12 months. An athlete who declares the prior use of a prohibited substance will not be deemed to have committed a violation but will be required to refrain from competition for a period of at least 6 months and provide at least two negative samples. Murdock did not declare the use of the prohibited substance on his onboarding declaration form.”

Ultimately, Murdock was still offered a slightly reduced sentence after he came forward and admitted past use of the banned substance.

Murdock’s 20-month suspension is retroactive to July 6, which means he will be eligible to return to the UFC after March 6, 2021.