UFC Bantamweight Sean O’Malley Suspended 6 Months by NSAC, Eligible to Return in March

Sean O’Malley has been suspended six months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for a failed drug test prior to UFC 229.

O’Malley recently revealed that he was flagged by USADA for the banned substance ostarine, which he believes could have been caused by tainted caffeine pills he consumed. At a hearing on Wednesday, the NSAC gave O’Malley a reduced sanction on the grounds that the fighter accepted responsibility for his failed test. O’Malley’s USADA case is still pending, although it is likely that his punishment from the anti-doping organization won’t differ much from that of the NSAC.

The Contender Series alum will be eligible to return on March 6. He was also ordered to pay $472.42 for fees associated with his case.

“Sugar” was slated to face Jose Alberto Quinonez at UFC 229 before the bout was canceled. O’Malley earned a UFC contract on Season 1 of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series and has since scored back-to-back decision victories over Andre Soukhamthath and Terrion Ware in the Octagon to run his professional record to 10-0.