England’s ‘Judo’ Jim Wallhead, 33, had a long, hard road to the UFC and a harder time once in it. Fighting professionally since 2005, he beat Che Mills, Frank Trigg and Joey Villasenor, among many others before finally getting into the UFC late last year at welterweght. Wallhead lost a split decision to Jessin Ayari in his league debut last year, and then was tapped out by Luan Chagas in June. Two weeks ago injury forced him out of a fight vs. Warlley Alves at UFC Fight Night 118, just seven days before fight time.
And now he has had an anti-doping test flagged. Via UFC.com.
UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Jim Wallhead of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on October 7, 2017.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Wallhead. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.
As of now, Judo Jimmy is not guilty.
A number of fighters have been informed of potential anti-doping violations, and been found entirely innocent, with no punishment meted out. For example, last year Ning Guangyou of China, Augusto Montano from Mexico City, Mexico, and Li Jingliang, from Xinjiang, China all tested for positive for clenbuterol and will face no USADA sanction. Further, Islam Makhachev had a test flagged for Meldonium last year but was found No Fault. Fans should, emphatically, withhold judgment on Wallhead until far more information becomes available, which it will.
A clearly baffled Wallhead responded via his social network.
“I have to do a post on this because I know how people react to this s*** and I’ve already had couple people I know doubt me,” he wrote. “So here it is – I have been flagged by USADA for Ostarine I have no idea what that is but obviously I’m going to request my B sample to be tested as well.
“Now here my thoughts on this… if you really think I’m stupid enough to cheat or take a banned substance then you don’t me, I haven’t took anything at all! why on earth would I get to the UFC which has took me 12 years of hard work and then take something…. lol it’s f***ing ridiculous!! And along with fact I’ve had about 8 drug test already with UFC and am tested regularly would I even attempt to do anything out of sorts.
“Tbh I’m f***ing fuming, devo & shocked all in one. Here is my suggestion to everyone on USADA – don’t even drink protein shakes because your taking a risk, all I had different in my last camp that I can think of was:
•Caffeine shot/drinks
•BCAA
•ready meals
•protein pancakes
•protein drinks
•protein bars
•electrolytes
“I don’t know what else to say on this I hope it gets resolved, I believe I have a good name and a good reputation, personally I think it’s mad and I don’t understand it at all.
“For those that believe me thank you and those that don’t quite clearly f*** you.”
