David Branch Suspended Two Years For Anti-Doping Violation

David Branch will not be fighting until 2021 after receiving a two-year suspension for his violation of the UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy. USADA announced on Wednesday that Branch has been suspended for two years starting as of July 26th due to an out-of-competition sample testing positive for ipamorelin, which is a growth hormone secretagogue that, per MMA Weekly, stimulates the brain to release human growth hormone. The substance is banned year-round by USADA.

The test took place on May 24th, but the suspension begins as of the day his provisional suspension was imposed. Branch has gone 2-3 since joining the UFC in 2017, with his most recent fight a loss to Jack Hermansson at UFC on ESPN 2 in March.