Brock Lesnar made a victorious return to The Octagon at UFC 200 and all seemed well with the world, but now, less than a week later it’s been revealed that he’s been flagged for a potential anti-doping violation by USADA.
The UFC has been notified of a potential anti-doping violation by Brock Lesnar, stemming from June 28.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 15, 2016
According to a statement by the UFC, Brock was flagged after an out-of-competition test June 28, less than two weeks before his fight against Mark Hunt at UFC 200. The test results came back July 14 and now Brock will be afforded a “full fair legal review process.”
“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Brock Lesnar of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection on June 28, 2016. USADA received the testing results from the June 28, 2016 sample collection from the WADA-accredited UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory on the evening of July 14, 2016.
“USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full fair legal review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. The Nevada State Athletic Commission also retains jurisdiction over this matter as the sample collection was performed in close proximity to Lesnar’s bout at UFC 200 in Las Vegas.
“Consistent with all previous potential anti-doping violations, additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.
The entire event was marred by a failed doping test when Jon Jones failed an out-of-competition test of his own the week of UFC 200. That sent the promotion scrambling to reconfigure the entire card, including inserting Anderson Silva as Jones replacement against Daniel Cormier on just three days notice.
Lesnar himself received some favorable treatment when the UFC waived their own four-month rule that required fighters coming out of retirement a four-month window of drug testing before they could return. Hunt, predictably called the exemption a “load of bulls***” and is probably even more upset now. To USADA’s credit Brock was tested an astounding five times within the first 14 days after the announcement of his return to the sport, including his first test just four days after his return.
For Lesnar, who has always fought doping allegations, it’s quite the stain on his reputation even if he’s eventually cleared. For the UFC, it’s refreshing to see their increased emphasis on anti-doping see some fruits of the labor they’ve put in place, but they’re watching helplessly as an event already shrouded in doping drama receives yet another blemish.
