Former UFC heavyweight champ Lesnar flagged for potential anti-doping policy violation
After defeating Mark Hunt at UFC 200 on Saturday, former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar said he alone would determine whether he would take another fight or return to only competing in professional wrestling.
It turns out the United States Anti-Doping Agency and Nevada Athletic Commission may also have a say in the matter.
Lesnar has been notified by USADA of a potential violation of the UFC’s anti-doping policy, the organization announced on Friday.
The potential violation stems from an out-of-competition sample collected on June 28.
According to a statement sent out by the UFC, USADA received the results from the World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory on Thursday.
The statement did not indicate the substance for which Lesnar’s test was flagged. USADA’s policy is to not reveal such information unless the fighter discusses it publicly or the process has been completed.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC’s anti-doping policy, will handle the adjudication.
“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 statement read. “The (NAC) also retains jurisdiction over this matter as thesample 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.”
Lesnar, the former heavyweight champion, signed with the UFC to compete at UFC 200 about a month before the the event.
A fighter returning from retirement is typically required to enter the testing program four months before competing, but the UFC exercised its right to grant Lesnar a waiver.
When asked about the waiver and persistent accusations of performance-enhancing drug use throughout his career during a conference call to promote his fight, the 39-year-old former NCAA Division I national wrestling champion was indignant.
“I’ve been dealing with that my entire life,” Lesnar said at the time. “What do you want me to say? I’m a white boy and I’m jacked, deal with it.”
Lesnar defeated Hunt by unanimous decision on a card that lost its main event when Jon Jones was similarly flagged by USADA for a potential violation just three days before his scheduled main event fight against Daniel Cormier.
Lesnar was critical of Jones during a question-and-answer session the following day at T-Mobile Arena.
“It’s really unprofessional of anybody of this caliber when something like that happens,” Lesnar said. “It’s unfortunate. It’s unprofessional. That’s just what it is. What else can I say?”
The professional wrestling star, who is expected to return to the WWE next month for SummerSlam, was noncommittal about his future after his first win since July 2010. He said it wouldn’t be up to UFC boss Dana White or WWE honcho Vince McMahon.
“Brock Lesnar does what Brock Lesnar wants to do,” he said after competing for the first time since December 2011.
Whatever he chose to do now has him facing a potential suspension of up to two years from USADA as well as a fine and suspension from the NAC.
Lesnar’s win over Hunt could also be overturned and ruled a no-contest. His official fight purse for the bout was $2.5 million, though his actual payday is believed to be much higher.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow @adamhilllvrj on Twitter.