By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
The biggest heavyweight event in UFC history may be losing its main event, as UFC 146 title challenger Alistair Overeem tested positive for an elevated testosterone to epitestosterone ratio of more than 10 to 1 in a random drug test administered last week.
Six fighters on the UFC 146 card were tested last week immediately following the UFC 146 pre-fight press conference in Las Vegas. All tests came back negative, save for Overeem, according to Nevada State Athletic Commissioner Keith Kizer, who emailed the results to MMATorch on Wednesday.
Overeem may request the testing of his "B" sample, which could clear him if it came back negative, but for now he'll need to answer for this elevated T/E level at a commission hearing.
He was granted a conditional license last fall after failing to properly partake in a random drug test, with the requirement that he be subject to random drug testing multiple times before and after his UFC 141 bout with Brock Lesnar.
Penick's Analysis: Well, this is just a massive failure on all levels for Overeem. For a fighter who has vehemently denied allegations of steroid use in the past, this positive test legitimizes criticism and will likely cost him the biggest fight of his career. It's immensely disappointing on a number of levels, but this is a huge blow to the UFC regardless.
The biggest heavyweight event in UFC history may be losing its main event, as UFC 146 title challenger Alistair Overeem tested positive for an elevated testosterone to epitestosterone ratio of more than 10 to 1 in a random drug test administered last week.
Six fighters on the UFC 146 card were tested last week immediately following the UFC 146 pre-fight press conference in Las Vegas. All tests came back negative, save for Overeem, according to Nevada State Athletic Commissioner Keith Kizer, who emailed the results to MMATorch on Wednesday.
Overeem may request the testing of his "B" sample, which could clear him if it came back negative, but for now he'll need to answer for this elevated T/E level at a commission hearing.
He was granted a conditional license last fall after failing to properly partake in a random drug test, with the requirement that he be subject to random drug testing multiple times before and after his UFC 141 bout with Brock Lesnar.
Penick's Analysis: Well, this is just a massive failure on all levels for Overeem. For a fighter who has vehemently denied allegations of steroid use in the past, this positive test legitimizes criticism and will likely cost him the biggest fight of his career. It's immensely disappointing on a number of levels, but this is a huge blow to the UFC regardless.