UFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell has been suspended nine months by the UFC for elevated levels of testosterone following his UFC 164 knockout win over Brandon Vera on Aug. 31.
Rothwell was granted a therapeutic use exemption from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (WDSPS) in order to undergo testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
When a fighter fails a pre- or post-fight screening the athlete is usually suspended by the athletic commission (or equivalent overseeing body), but in Rothwell’s case it was the UFC that laid down the punishment.
“While the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services has elected not to impose any discipline on Rothwell, to date, the UFC holds its athletes to a high standard of personal and professional conduct and finds that Rothwell’s actions merit the suspension as a violation of the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and his Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC,” an official UFC release read.
“Upon completion of his suspension, Rothwell must also submit a negative drug test before being allowed to compete in a UFC event.”
Rothwell’s UFC 164 post-fight blood test was administered by the WDSPS, but they did not suspend him, instead opting to give him an administrative warning.
In a statement Rothwell released to MMAJunkie, the 31-year-old explained that he applied for TRT after an endocrinologist and several doctors in Wisconsin diagnosed him with hypogonadism that they felt was caused by a car crash in 1999 that left Rothwell in a coma with severe head trauma.
“(The suspension) came as a shock because I had applied for and was granted a TRT exemption and was doing so under the supervision of a doctor. I was tested every week for eight weeks prior to the fight and was well under the acceptable level each time,” Rothwell stated.
“After getting the news of the elevated test, I spoke with the Wisconsin Athletic Commission and they decided to give me an administrative warning. I was told they didn’t think I tried to cheat, but felt some punishment was necessary.
“I am not going to fight the suspension as I feel ultimately it is my responsibility to make sure I stay under the acceptable limit. I am deeply sorry for this mistake and apologize to my fans, family and friends.”
At this time, Rothwell’s win over Vera stands and has not been changed to a no contest.
