Popular bantamweight Sean O’Malley has been pulled from a fight at UFC 229 on Saturday in Las Vegas, after failing an out-of-competition drug test.
O’Malley (10-0) announced the failed test via social media on Sunday. The 23-year-old did not reveal what banned substance he tested positive for, but said he believes he has already identified a dietary supplement he believes caused it.
O’Malley was scheduled to fight Jose Quiñonez on the UFC 229 prelims at T-Mobile Arena.
“I have no intention of cheating and am fully confident that the results of this case will show that,” O’Malley wrote. “I love my fans and I hope the impact on my career is minimal and I’m back to fighting real soon.”
In the past, the UFC has immediately announced all failed drug tests — before cases are resolved and sanctions are levied. The UFC made a change to that policy in July, however, and now keeps test results private until cases fully play out. O’Malley chose to reveal the failed test publicly.
“Even though, under the new policy, my case would not be public right now, I feel it’s important to be upfront and honest with my fans about why I’m not fighting next weekend,” O’Malley wrote.
Fighting out of Glendale, Arizona, O’Malley burst onto the UFC scene as a contestant on Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series in July 2017. He is 2-0 in the UFC, including a win over Andre Soukhamthath at UFC 222 in March, during which he suffered a foot injury.