Sean O’Malley reaches settlement with NAC in ostarine case, clearing way for UFC 248 return

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Sean O’Malley reaches settlement with NAC in ostarine case, clearing way for UFC 248 return

Sean O’Malley still has a few minor hurdles to overcome, but the way has finally been cleared for him to make his return to UFC competition after two years.

O’Malley (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), the undefeated bantamweight who many consider to be one of the top prospects in the sport, has been out of action while he’s dealt with a bevy of drug-test related issues. He has claimed innocence since the matter first originated in mid-2018.

After coming to terms with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency on a retroactive sanction earlier this month, O’Malley on Wednesday came to a resolution with the Nevada Athletic Commission, which will serve as the regulators for his next fight against Jose Quinonez at UFC 248.

O’Malley’s resolution included a nine-month suspension stemming from a test failure in July, which had traces of ostarine, that is set to conclude on Feb. 26, just days out from UFC 248 on March 7 in Las Vegas.

O’Malley is also eligible for random drug tests leading up to UFC 248. Per the terms of the settlement, the tests cannot show traces of ostarine at a number equal to or greater than 400 picograms per milliliter.

In addition, O’Malley must provide the commission with clean drug tests 30, 15 and three days out from his next bout in Nevada. His suspension also won’t be officially lifted until he pays $872.16 in prosecution fees or enters a payment plan to reimburse the money.

O’Malley’s struggles with positive ostarine tests have persisted since mid-2018. The bantamweight up-and-comer first tested positive prior to an October 2018 fight.

In November 2018, O’Malley was suspended six months retroactive to the test by the NAC, making him eligible to return in March 2019. USADA determined the culprit to be a dietary supplement.

In April 2019, USADA issued a statement linking four fighters who tested positive for ostarine to tainted supplements. O’Malley was among them.

Booked to fight Marlon Vera at UFC 239 in July, O’Malley was pulled after ostarine traces showed up in a USADA test once again. According to USADA, O’Malley kept a food log and increased his level of care with supplements. USADA found no signs of intentional use.

Sean O'Malley reaches settlement with NAC in ostarine case, clearing way for UFC 248 return