Khalil Rountree Jr.’s anticipated bout against former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill in the co-main event of UFC 303 hit an unexpected roadblock when Rountree Jr. self-reported his unintentional use of a banned substance. The substance in question was DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), and Rountree Jr. detailed the unfortunate incident in a heartfelt Instagram post, expressing his disappointment at having to withdraw from the fight due to the mishap.
In response to Rountree Jr.’s disclosure, the UFC’s in-house anti-doping program, Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD), issued a statement outlining a two-month sanction effective from May 4. Rountree Jr., being proactive in reporting the accidental consumption of DHEA through a supplement, underwent testing, which confirmed the presence of metabolites of DHEA in his system. As per the UFC’s updated anti-doping policy, CSAD has the sole authority to impose penalties for such violations. Despite the setback, Rountree Jr. will be eligible to resume competing in the octagon after July 4, as his suspension has been shortened to two months.
In the wake of this incident, former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker weighed in during an appearance on the MMA Arcade Podcast. Whittaker empathized with Rountree Jr.’s predicament and suggested exploring legal options against the supplement company responsible for the tainted product. He emphasized the significant impact such a situation could have on Rountree Jr.’s career and reputation, advocating for taking legal action to seek reparation for the damage caused.
Whittaker’s stance reflects the seriousness of the matter, highlighting the potential consequences of consuming contaminated supplements and the need for athletes to protect themselves from such risks. Rountree Jr.’s case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and caution when it comes to dietary supplements in professional sports, underscoring the potential pitfalls that can arise even from unintentional ingestion of banned substances.
