Rountree Receives Doping Ban, UFC Title Fight to Proceed

Khalil Rountree has been handed a four-and-a-half-month retrospective ban by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) following a positive drug test in May. Despite the ban, Rountree’s scheduled light-heavyweight title fight against champion Alex Pereira on 5 October in Utah will go ahead as planned.

The 34-year-old American was suspended internally by the UFC for two months after testing positive for the anabolic steroid DHEA in a urine sample. This led to his removal from UFC 303 in June. The test was conducted by the UFC’s anti-doping program, Combat Sports Anti-Doping, and Rountree promptly informed the NAC about the results.

Rountree denied any intentional doping, attributing the positive result to the “accidental ingestion of a blended supplement.” His cooperation with authorities led to a reduced ban, which will expire on 18 September, along with a fine of £119.14 ($157.04).

NAC chairman Dallas Haun praised Rountree’s decision to self-report, which significantly influenced the commission’s ruling.

Rountree (13-5-1NC) is considered a significant underdog in his upcoming bout against the Brazilian champion Pereira (11-2) at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City.