Josh Barnett Cleared to Fight, Gets Reprimand For Anti-Doping Violation

Josh Barnett is clear to fight following arbitration for his 2016 alleged anti-doping violation. MMAjunkie reports that Barnett has received a public reprimand for his failed drug test and is free and clear to fight.

The USADA press release stated, “Given the source was established to be a contaminated supplement, along with the athlete’s care and diligence concerning the nutritional products consumed, the arbitrator determined that a public reprimand was appropriate.”

In addition, independent arbitrator Richard H. McLaren said in the decision that Barnett “is not a drug cheat,” noting, “He unknowingly ingested a contaminated product. In so doing, he did commit an (anti-doping policy violation) because he had a prohibited substance in his sample but he did not actively engage in attempting, in any way, to engage in the use of a prohibited substance.”

The USADA has declined additional comment. Barnett posted to Twitter:

I proved my innocence as I stated from the beginning and now I can look towards getting back in the ring in the neat future.

The time I lost though can never be regained. It should not havr had to come to all of this.

Ever onwards… https://t.co/HfeUrteKjA

— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) March 24, 2018