Emil Meek Pulled from UFC Debut Due to Possible Anti-Doping Conflict
Emil Meek has been pulled from his UFC debut due to a potential conflict with the UFC's Anti-Doping Policy. He had been slated to fight Jessin Ayari at UFC Fight Night 93 on Sept. 3 in Hamburg, Germany.
Meek has not failed a drug test or been flagged for a potential violation. The issue stems from Meek voluntarily disclosing medical treatment that he received prior to signing with the UFC and the possibility that it may not be in compliance with the company's anti-doping standards.
“As part of the athlete onboarding process, Emil Meek voluntarily disclosed medical treatment he received prior to signing with UFC that is potentially out of compliance with UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy. As a result, Meek will not compete in his previously scheduled bout on September 3, 2016, in Hamburg, Germany, in order to allow him time to consult with his physician and evaluate his medical treatment,” read a UFC statement on Wednesday.
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“Given Meek’s medical treatment occurred before his signing with UFC, he is not subject to any potential anti-doping violations under the policy relating to that treatment. However, UFC is requiring Meek to be enrolled in USADA’s registered testing pool for a period of four months before he is placed on a fight card in the future.”
With the four-month testing period in front of him, Meeks said his debut has been pushed back to sometime around the end of the year, which should allow him time to make sure any medical treatment is in compliance with the anti-doping policy.
“Due to medical reasons as stated in the UFC press release, my entrance to the UFC cage is postponed for later this year,” Meeks wrote on Facebook.
“I got signed up for the debut fight before my enrollment in the UFC was complete. Going from Venator to UFC involves a way stricter regiment as to what kind of medication I’m allowed to use. We have decided it was not worth the risk. The result was pulling out of my upcoming fight in Hamburg. It changes nothing when it comes to my relationship with UFC, other than that my debut in the Octagon will be pushed to around December.
“Let me stress that I have not failed any drug test whatsoever! This is merely a preliminary precaution.”
Having fought the majority of his career in and around his home country of Norway, Meek (8-2) is best known for his first-round knockout of former World Series of Fighting champion Rousimar Palhares at Venator FC 3 on May 21 in Italy.
(Photo courtesy of Emil Meek)
