Former UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar flagged for 2nd failed test
Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar failed his fight-night drug test in his return to the organization for the same substance that caused his out-of-competition failure.
Lesnar’s tests were both flagged for the presence of clomiphene, the Review-Journal has learned.
The organization was notified Tuesday by the United States Anti-Doping Agency that Lesnar’s in-competition sample collected the night of his UFC 200 win over Mark Hunt on July 9 was flagged for a potential violation of the UFC’s anti-doping policy after it was revealed last Friday a sample collected on June 28 had also been flagged.
“The UFC organization was notified today that (USADA) has informed Brock Lesnar that his in-competition sample collection from July 9, 2016, at UFC 200, has tested positive for the same substance as his previously announced out-of-competition collection on June 28, 2016,” a statement from the organization read. “Consistent with all previous potential anti-doping violations, additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
Clomiphene is an estrogen blocker that is on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list. While it is not necessarily considered performance-enhancing, it is banned because of its use by athletes looking to counteract the side effects of some PEDs and help t0 restart natural testosterone production.
It is one of the two substances former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones tested for during an out-of-competition test that forced him to be pulled from his scheduled UFC 200 bout against Daniel Cormier.
Lesnar, a former heavyweight champion, returned from more than four years away from the sport to defeat Hunt by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena. The result of the out-of-competition test was disclosed on Friday.
The professional wrestling star is set to return to the WWE to compete at SummerSlam in August. While he faces a potential two-year ban from mixed martial arts, the positive tests are not expected to impact his availability for that event. Lesnar has the right to challenge the results before any discipline is handed down.
“USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case,” the statement read. “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 at UFC 200 in Las Vegas.”
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj
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