Jessica Penne Suspended 18 Months For Failed Drug Test

Jessica Penne hasn’t earned a victory in the UFC in over three years and it will take a lot longer before that comes to an end.

The fighter had tested positive for an anabolic steroid known as dehydroepiandrosterone on March 20 of 2017, but was just recently suspended because she was battling the test failure. The reason she was battling the drug test results was that Penne claimed a doctor had given her the steroid and was attempting to get a therapeutic use exemption (TUE).

While most fighters get a two year suspension for using such a substance, a decision was made by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to only suspend her 18 months. This was due to the fact that the steroid was given to her by a licensed physician and the Tennessee Athletic Commission (the state she fought in at UFC Fight Night 108) also accepted the explanation from the fighter.

Penne did fight once while battling the drug test results and that was a loss to Danielle Taylor at the aforementioned UFC Fight Night 108 event. Since Penne lost the fight to Taylor, no change in result (to a no contest if Penne had won) is expected.

Since Penne initially failed the drug test on March 20 of 2017, a return to action couldn’t happen until October 18 of this year.

Neither Penne or the UFC have commentated on the matter, but USADA has issued a press release.