Back in 2017, Jessica Penne’s once-notable MMA career stopped dead. The former UFC title challenger – and former Invicta atomweight champion – failed a drug test, and was handed an 18-month suspension from competition.
In February of 2019, she looked set for her MMA return, against Jodie Esquibel. But an injury on the day of the fight scrapped her bout. Two months later she failed a second drug test. And, after almost a year of investigation, Penne announced that she was now facing a 4-year suspension, one that would effectively end the 37-year-old’s time as a professional fighter.