- Khalil Rountree will not fight Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 following a doping violation
- “The War Horse” apologized for unintentionally consuming a banned substance
Khalil Rountree is no longer competing against Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 after consuming a banned substance.
Technically wasn’t cheating
Things did not go accordingly for “The War Horse” on Saturday after learning that he would have to be scratched off UFC 303 card, having violated a UFC Anti-Doping policy. Rountree admitted to “accidentally” consuming DHEA, a substance that can be used as a performance-enhancing drug and is included on the list of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substances.
Dismayed and “gutted,” Rountree delivered the devastating news on his social media account.
“I’m gutted to deliver this news to you all but I will not be fighting at UFC 303 due to consuming a banned substance,” Rountree wrote. “I did not do this intentionally and I am doing everything I can to get this situation taken care of. I was using a personalized, tailored supplement service from a company that I trusted who understood my limitations in what I can and cannot take,” Rountree wrote.
“They accidentally sent a blended supplement to me that contained [a] banned substance called DHEA (which is prohibited at all times under the UFC anti-doping policy). Only after I consumed it was its ingredients brought to my attention,” he added.
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“I immediately contacted Senior Vice President of Anti-doping compliance, Jeff Novitsky and UFC Vice President of Anti-doping compliance, Donna Marcolini to inform them of this matter,” he added.
“I’ve provided them with all the information to show that this was not a matter of cheating or to enhance performance. Although DHEA is non-performance-enhancing it is a banned substance therefore I am under temporary suspension,” he continued.
Rountree is on a roll
To be out of a massive event such as UFC 303 is certainly the last thing Rountree would want to happen at this point. Prior to being booked for UFC 303, “The War Horse” has gone undefeated in his last five trips to the Octagon. His latest victory was a TKO win over Anthony Smith at UFC Vegas 83.
As it stands, Rountree is the No. 8 light heavyweight contender. It is yet to be determined what the UFC would do about Hill at UFC 303 now that his opponent has been removed from the card.
