Josh Quinlan Tests Positive for Steroid Metabolite, Pulled from UFC on ESPN 40

Josh Quinlan was not cleared to compete against Jason Witt after testing positive for a trace amount of a steroid metabolite prior to their welterweight bout at UFC on ESPN 40.

The UFC announced the news in a statement prior to Saturday’s event:

UFC was notified by USADA that a recent urine sample from Josh Quinlan indicated the presence of a small amount of the M3 metabolite of dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (DHCMT). While not a violation under UFC anti-doping program rules, Nevada State Athletic Commission has ruled that Quinlan is not cleared to fight. As a result, his bout against Jason Witt has been canceled from tonight’s event.

Quinlan vs. Witt will now take place on week later at UFC on ESPN 41 in San Diego. According to USADA, a fighter can test positive for up to 100 picograms of the M3 metabolite before it is determined to be an anti-doping violation. The most famous instance occurred when former light heavweight champion Jon Jones tested positive for trace elements of the M3 metabolite ahead of a title bout against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232, which resulted in USADA updating its stance on the substance.

Quinlan was previously suspended for nine months by the NSAC after testing positive for the steroid drostanolone in relation to a first-round TKO win over Logan Urban at Dana White’s Contender Series last September. The Legacy Fighting Alliance veteran is 5-0 in his professional career.

Witt is 2-3 in the Octagon and is coming off a second-round TKO defeat to Philip Rowe at UFC Fight Night 200 on Feb. 5.