The UFC Shanghai card has taken another hit, this time as a result of yet another anti-doping violation.
It has been a rough stretch for the UFC in terms of fighters testing positive for banned substances. With Anderson Silva flagged by USADA, UFC Shanghai took a heavy blow. Luckily, ‘The Count’ didn’t want the image of being choked out by GSP to be the final glimpse of his career, so the main event against Gastelum was saved. Now, however, it appears the UFC needs another replacement fighter, as James Mulheron is off the UFC Fight Night 122 card.
The UFC announced the news in a statement late Friday.
The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed James Mulheron of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on November 10, 2017. Due to the proximity of James’s upcoming scheduled bout at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum in Shanghai, China on November 25, 2017, against Cyril Asker, Mulheron has been removed from the card and UFC is currently seeking a replacement
Mulheron (11-2), a former M4tC heavyweight champion, lost his UFC debut in July to Justin Willis. He previously appeared for Bellator MMA, winning his lone fight in that promotion at Bellator 158 last year against Neil Grove.
Looking for a new dance partner is Cyril Asker (8-3). Asker has gone 2-1 in the UFC thus far, with a win against Dmitry Smoliakov sandwiched between losses to Jared Cannonier and Walt Harris.
As is standard practice, the substance(s) behind Mulheron’s positive test result have not been announced. The fighter will now enter into the adjudication process, which could take several months.
UFC Shanghai, or UFC Fight Night 122 if you prefer, takes place November 25 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China. TUF 17 winner Kelvin Gastelum takes on former middleweight champ Michael Bisping in the main event.
