UFC Heavyweight Ben Rothwell Notified of Potential Anti-Doping Violation

Ben Rothwell’s UFC 211 bout vs. Fabricio Werdum could be in jeopardy, as the heavyweight has been notified of a potential anti-doping violation.

Rothwell’s failed drug test stems from an out-of-competition sample collected on Feb. 6. The substance for which Rothwell tested positive was not disclosed.

As usual, USADA will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of the case. Rothwell is entitled to a full legal process before any sanctions are imposed.

Rothwell was scheduled to face Werdum at UFC 211 on May 13 in Dallas, but the Wisconsin native has been provisionally suspended as a result of the potential anti-doping violation. The 35-year-old last appeared at UFC Fight Night 86, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Junior dos Santos.

Rothwell's management provided the following statement to MMAFighting.com: “With the recent news received from USADA, I would like to take this time to let everyone know I have been under the care of a physician and trying to overcome a medical illness.”