Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett has been flagged for a potential doping violation, stemming from an out-of-competition drug test taken on Dec. 9.
The United States Anti-Doping Agency, which administers the UFC's anti-doping program, notified the promotion company of the potential violation on Tuesday. The UFC has not disclosed any further details at this time, which is standard policy.
Barnett (35-8), has failed multiple drug tests during his 20-year professional career. The UFC stripped Barnett of the heavyweight title in 2002, after he tested positive for a steroid following his victory over Randy Couture at UFC 36.
In 2009, Barnett was scheduled to fight Russian icon Fedor Emelianenko for the now-defunct Affliction promotion in California. That fight was canceled, however, when Barnett tested positive for an anabolic steroid 10 days prior to the event.
Barnett, 39, fought Andrei Arlovski during his most recent performance in September. He won via third-round submission. He has fought only three times since 2014. According to USADA's website, Barnett has submitted 13 drug samples in 2016.