UFC heavyweight Walt Harris receives four-year suspension for banned substances

UFC heavyweight veteran Walt Harris has received a four-year suspension for the use of banned substances.

Walt ‘The Big Ticket’ Harris (13-10 MMA) last fought in June of 2021, going down to defeat against Marcin Tybura (25-8 MMA) by TKO. With the loss, the 40-year-old heavyweight had the unenviable record of losing 3 fights in a row inside of the Octagon – all by TKO.

It will be a long time, if at all, before fans will see Walt Harris back in action.

The CSAD (Combat Sports Anti-Doping) who oversees the UFC anti-doping program announced just yesterday that Harris has accepted a four-year suspension for two separate violations of the promotions new policy.

In the release it was confirmed that Harris tested positive for drostanalone and testosterone in a pair of tests in June and July of 2023. Harris submitted urine and blood samples in August where the fighter tested positive for anastrozole as well.

The CSAD statement in part read:

“Drostanolone and testosterone are anabolic steroids and prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy (UFC ADP) and UFC Prohibited List.”

Walt Harris has therefore been suspended for four years retroactive to the date he was first notified of the adverse findings. He will not be eligible to return to the UFC until July 11, 2027.

This is not his first suspension; he previously received a 1-year suspension from the NAC stemming from a positive test back in June of 2023.

It should be noted that this is the first official UFC suspension carried out by the CSAD since taking over from the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) at the end of 2023.

Do you think we will see Walt Harris back in action following his suspension or has he hit the end of the road in the cage?

Share your thoughts in the comment section PENN Nation!