Alistair Overeem’s manager confident his client will fight at UFC 146
The soap opera of UFC 146’s main event continued yesterday with an interview involving Alistair Overeem‘s manager Glenn Robinson. Robinson seemed confident that Overeem would indeed be involved in the Heavyweight championship bout on May 26 in Las Vegas. His words sought to explain exactly how Overeem’s failed drug test would be clarified, in the sense he allegedly did not test positive for elevated levels of Testosterone, but rather only an irregularity in Testosterone to Epitestosterone levels. Overeem’s levels in this regard registered at a lofty 14:1. Seeking to clear the name of his star fighter, Robinson relayed the following through Kenny Rice of Inside MMA:
“I spoke with Glenn Robinson, manager of Overeem and he says he is very respectful and is hopeful that he will be granted his license and the entire team is very confident that he will be facing Junior dos Santos come May 26th. Now Robinson wanted to make it very clear that despite other reports, Overeem did not test high for testosterone, but rather his testosterone to epitestosterone was off and he has a reasonable explanation to why that is, which he will present to the commission next Tuesday.” – via mixedmartialarts.com
Listening to this report, it would seem that there is at least a small chance that we will see Alistair Overeem fight Junior dos Santos in Las Vegas after all. Now speculation will run wild over just exactly what Overeem’s reasonable explanation will be, but most would assume that he will use the oft-turned to defense of TRT. Rice stated that NSAC director Keith Kizer told him that Overeem will have a hearing on April 24 but has not applied for a TRT exemption. However, Rice confirmed he still has time according to Kizer:
“Now, some have speculated that he may use the defense of testosterone replacement therapy or TRT as a defense as we’ve seen several fighters do before. Speaking with Kizer, he has said Overeem has not applied for TRT exemption, but that does not mean he can’t. He has time to do that. As long as he gives the commission’s doctors time to deal with the situation.”
This finding comes as no surprise in today’s volatile MMA testing climate, where TRT is quickly becoming the most discussed topic in an arena where fighting skills should seem to be king. Will Alistair Overeem truly find himself facing Junior dos Santos? Is TRT a viable defense for fighters failing drug tests at an alarming rate? Does Overeem deserve to fight in the main event or not in your opinion?
Further Reading: Alistair Overeem officially applies for fighter’s license in state of Nevada
The soap opera of UFC 146’s main event continued yesterday with an interview involving Alistair Overeem‘s manager Glenn Robinson. Robinson seemed confident that Overeem would indeed be involved in the Heavyweight championship bout on May 26 in Las Vegas. His words sought to clarify exactly how Overeem’s failed drug test would be clarified, in the sense he allegedly did not test for elevated levels of Testosterone, but rather only an irregularity in Testosterone to Epitestosterone levels. Overeem’s levels in this regard registered at a lofty 14:1. Seeking to clear the name of his star fighter, Robinson relayed the following through Kenny Rice of Inside MMA:
“I spoke with Glenn Robinson, manager of Overeem and he says he is very respectful and is hopeful that he will be granted his license and the entire team is very confident that he will be facing Junior dos Santos come May 26th. Now Robinson wanted to make it very clear that despite other reports, Overeem did not test high for testosterone, but rather his testosterone to epitestosterone was off and he has a reasonable explanation to why that is, which he will present to the commission next Tuesday.” – via mixedmartialarts.com
Listening to this report, it would seem that there is at least a small chance that we will see Alistair Overeem fight Junior dos Santos in Las Vegas after all. Now speculation will run wild over just exactly what Overeem’s reasonable explanation will be, but most would assume that he will use the oft-turned to defense of TRT. Rice stated that NSAC director Keith Kizer told him that Overeem will have a hearing on April 24 but has not applied for a TRT exemption. However, Rice confirmed he still has time according to Kizer:
“Now, some have speculated that he may use the defense of testosterone replacement therapy or TRT as a defense as we’ve seen several fighters do before. Speaking with Kizer, he has said Overeem has not applied for TRT exemption, but that does not mean he can’t. He has time to do that. As long as he gives the commission’s doctors time to deal with the situation.”
This finding comes as no surprise in today’s volatile MMA testing climate, where TRT is quickly becoming the most discussed topic in an arena where fighting skills should seem to be king. Will Alistair Overeem truly find himself facing Junior dos Santos? Is TRT a viable defense for fighters failing drug tests at an alarming rate? Does Overeem deserve to fight in the main event or not in your opinion?
Further Reading: Alistair Overeem officially applies for fighter’s license in state of Nevada
