Add former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett to the 2016 list of fighters to come under the watchful eye of the USADA.
In a statement released by the UFC on Tuesday, the USADA has notified them of a potential anti-doping violation by Barnett.
The sample was collected earlier this month, as Barnett is not currently scheduled to fight.
The UFC organization was formally notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Josh Barnett of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection on December 9, 2016.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full fair legal review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed.
Consistent with all previous potential anti-doping violations, additional information or UFC statements will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.
The 39-year-old Barnett last fought in September, besting Andrei Arlovski to improve to 35-8 overall and 4-2 over his last six.
Barnett previously tested positive for steroids in 2001, ’02 and ’09.