UFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell has been suspended nine months for elevated levels of testosterone following his win over Brandon Vera at UFC 164 in August.
Rothwell passed the news today to MMAJunkie.com as the fighter stated that the suspension came from the UFC and not the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, who regulated UFC 164.
The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services elected to give him an “administrative warning,” however the UFC elected to suspend the fighter.
Following the news of his suspension becoming public, the UFC released a statement on the suspension of Rothwell.
As the result of a blood test indicating an elevated level of testosterone in his system following UFC 164 in Milwaukee, WI, on August 31, the UFC has suspended heavyweight Ben Rothwell for nine (9) months from the date of the contest.
Rothwell’s post-fight blood test was administered by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. 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.
Upon completion of his suspension, Rothwell must also submit a negative drug test before being allowed to compete in a UFC event.