A pair of UFC athletes have been temporarily suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after testing positive for banned substance Ostarine.
At Tuesday’s monthly commission meeting, both Kyler Phillips and Darrius Flowers were issued temp bans for the selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), a common contaminant in tainted supplements.
Both fighters will receive formal hearings in the coming months prior to any sanction being handed down.
In 2019, four UFC fighters were handed short suspensions by USADA after the anti-doping agency found evidence of contaminated supplements, including Sean O’Malley and Marvin Vettori. As noted by USADA at the time, “as detection windows increase and the potential time between ingestion and detection lengthens, it has become more difficult for athletes to identify a contaminated product that may be the source of their positive test.”
MMA Fighting was among the first to report news of Phillips and Flowers’ positive tests. Flowers (12-5-1) has yet to debut in the UFC; the 2022 Contender Series winner was forced to withdraw from a lightweight fight with Erick Gonzalez earlier this month.
Bantamweight Phillips (10-2) last competed in February 2022, when he picked up a win over Marcelo Rojo. He had been scheduled to face Jack Shore in November, only for Shore to injure his knee. Phillips then withdrew from a fight with Raphael Assuncao earlier this month.
In a statement provided to MMA Junkie, Iridium Sports Agency, who represent both Flowers and Phillips, said that they were hopeful an “equitable resolution” to their respective cases could be reached soon, allowing both fighters to return to competition.
“Unfortunately, Mr. Phillips and Mr. Flowers are victims of an outdated policy that fails to accurately achieve its intended goals. We want to thank the UFC and USADA in their support in this matter and to applaud director Mullen and the Nevada State Athletic Commission for their willingness to review their current policies and consider changes that are better in line with the goals of fair competition in combat sports.”
