In an odd bit of timing, the UFC has released veteran fighter Tom Lawlor less than two months before he was eligible to fight again. The 35-year-old hasn’t competed since 2016 due to a two-year USADA suspension for testing positive for ostarine, and was expecting to return to the Octagon when his term was up in October. Instead, he’ll be looking for a new place to ply his trade.

Lawlor had requested his release more than once over the past two years, but the promotion wouldn’t grant the request. Now they have, after making him sit all that time.

He spoke to Figure Four Online about the situation:

“All things come to an end and it was inevitable that so would my time in UFC,” said Lawlor. “Today I was informed that I will be released by the UFC despite my USADA suspension being nearly over and my previous requests for a release being denied. While the timing is unexpected, hopefully this opens the doors for me to continue with my mixed martial arts career as well as in the squared circle (squared circle is an old term for pro wrestling). Combat sports is one of my life’s great loves and I look forward to showing and sharing that with the fans as soon as possible.”

Lawlor (10-6, 1 NC, 6-5 UFC) started out in the UFC on TUF 8 way back in 2008. He competed at both middleweight and light heavyweight throughout his run, dropping his last bout to Corey Anderson in March 2016. He has spent a lot of time doing pro wrestling while he has been unable to compete in MMA.