Emil Meek Pulled From UFC Debut Due to Potential USADA Conflict

Emil Weber Meek will not be making his Octagon debut on Sept. 3 as originally planned.

According to a statement released by the UFC on Wednesday, Meek “voluntarily disclosed medical treatment he received prior to signing with UFC that is potentially out of compliance with UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy.” As a result, the 27-year-old Norwegian fighter has been pulled from a proposed welterweight bout with Jessin Ayari at UFC Fight Night “Arlovski vs. Barnett” in Hamburg.

“Given Meek’s medical treatment occurred before his signing with UFC, he is not subject to any potential anti-doping violations under the policy relating to that treatment,” the statement read. “However, UFC is requiring Meek to be enrolled in USADA’s registered testing pool for a period of four months before he is placed on a fight card in the future.”

Meek gained notice for his 45-second knockout of UFC and WSOF veteran Rousimar Palhares at Venator FC 3 on May 21. The fighter known as “Valhalla” released a statement on his Facebook page regarding the news:

I got signed up for the debut fight before my enrollment in the UFC was complete. Going from Venator to UFC involves a way stricter [regimen] as to what kind of medication I’m allowed to use.

We have decided it was not worth the risk. The result was pulling out of my upcoming fight in Hamburg. It changes nothing when it comes to my relationship with UFC, other than that my debut in the Octagon will be pushed to around December.

Let me stress that I have not failed any drug test whatsoever! This is merely a preliminary precaution. I’ve been enrolled with USADA’s registered testing pool to prepare since for my bout since June. As a fighter I'm happy and personally, I feel safer to compete under the USADA's anti-doping policy.

Meek is 8-2-1 with one no contest over the course of a professional career that began in 2011. He has won three straight fights and has finished all of his opponents inside the distance.