Doping scandal hits UFC, fighter Lyman Good to miss New York event due to potential violation

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight fighter Lyman Good will not play next month's UFC 205 event due to a potential doping violation. Good was expected to face Belal Muhammad at the historical New York event. Company officials are currently seeking a replacement for the event.

The UFC announced that it was notified the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Good of a potential anti-doping violation. The agency said they got to the conclusion from an out-of-competition sample which was collected on 14 October.

"USADA has provisionally suspended Good based on the potential anti-doping violation. USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full fair legal review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Consistent with all previous potential anti-doping violations, additional information or UFC statements will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward", the UFC said in a statement.

The 31-year-old was a big name in the Bellator fight scene. Good became the first Bellator Welterweight Champion after which he was signed by the UFC in 2015. He impressed one and all on his debut for the company at UFC Fight Night 71 where he faced Andrew Craig. The American, who was filling in for the injured Edgar Garcia, won by total knock-out in the second round and was expected to face Omari Akhmedov for his second fight at UFC Fight Night 80 only to pull out of the bout.

The UFC 205 event is scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden, New York for the first time in the company's history with the main card featuring the highly anticipated Conor McGregor vs Eddie Alvarez bout.