Alistair Overeem Surprise Drug Test Comes Back Positive, UFC 146 Title Bout in Jeopardy

(It’s always the ones you least suspect. / Photo via MMAFighting)

By Elias Cepeda

As we reported nearly one week ago, six heavyweights on the UFC 146 card were surprise-tested for drugs in Nevada after a press conference in Las Vegas. Today, Nevada State Athletic Commission Director Keith Kizer told CagePotato through a written statement that while five of those fighters passed their tests, number one heavyweight title contender Alistair Overeem (who was slated to fight Junior Dos Santos on the May card) did not:

“The following athletes were tested on March 27:  Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Frank Mir, Cain Velasquez, Roy Nelson and Antonio Silva.  All test results were negative, except Mr. Overeem tested positive for an increased T/E ratio (> 10).  Mr. Overeem will need to appear before the Commission if he seeks licensure,” Kizer’s statement reads.

Overeem was granted a conditional license to compete in Nevada at the end of the year after missing deadlines for testing. As a part of that conditional license, he was subject to additional surprise drug screenings like the one administered last week.

The NSAC is saying that Overeem tested for a higher than usual testosterone to epitestosterone rate than is commonly found in adult males. Such high levels are considered evidence of doping by athletes by regulatory bodies like Nevada’s athletic commission.

Overeem does not get a suspended license because of the test result, per se, since his conditional license has expired. But, in order to be licensed in Nevada, he will have to appear before a NSAC hearing to make his case. Without being licensed in Nevada, Overeem will not be able to challenge Dos Santos for the UFC belt next month.

We asked Kizer that if Overeem does, in fact, apply for a license and request a hearing before the NSAC, would the state try to hold that hearing before his scheduled May 26th fight. Kizer replied, “of course.”

We will keep you updated on this story as developments occur.

Update #1: Dana White is “beyond pissed” about the situation, and Frank Mir is already lobbying to replace Overeem against Dos Santos.