Featherweight Grant Dawson is free to resume his MMA career, with an anti-doping violation case dropped by USADA.
The decision to keep pending USADA cases under wraps appears to have been bolstered by the results of an investigation into UFC featherweight Grant Dawson. Dawson (12-1), who appeared on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series in 2017, tested positive after subsequently joining the promotion, with an anti-doping policy violation reported that November. Over a year later, and Dawson has been cleared, with the violation dismissed on the basis that the banned substance was ingested prior to the fighter taking part in the USADA program.
In a statement on their official website, the UFC announced that
UFC was informed by USADA that Grant Dawson received a dismissal of his potential anti-doping policy violation that was first reported in November 2017.
This dismissal was based on the likelihood that the ingestion of the prohibited substance occurred prior to Grant coming under the UFC Anti-Doping Program. We understand that Grant was cooperative throughout USADA’s investigation.
Today’s dismissal of Grant’s case reinforces UFC’s recent decision to resolve potential anti-doping policy violations before making them public. We wish Grant the best in his fighting career, whether that be here with UFC or elsewhere.
Most curious is the wording of the UFC’s statement that says the promotion wishes him the best in his career, “whether that be here with the UFC or elsewhere.” Dawson’s social media still lists him as “future UFC champion” and he earned a UFC contract with his Contender Series win. However, the wording indicates his status with the promotion may be up in the air.
