The punishment dished out to Alistair Overeem for failing a random drug test by the Nevada State Athletic Commission is in all honesty, commensurate with the crime.
In April of this year, it was announced that the Dutch behemoth had an overly high level of testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio—14-to-1, the legally allowed limit by NSAC is 6-to-1.
As a consequence of his actions, he can’t reapply for a license in the State of Nevada until the year’s end.
In addition to the infraction, he was bounced from the main card of UFC 146, thus dashing any hopes of a tilt at the heavyweight crown and Junior dos Santos.
The astonishing dramatics of Overeem suggesting that his doctor was the culprit in his failed test is insulting fans—does he think they’re stupid?
Even though it’s been well-documented that he has never failed any sort of test in the entirety of his career, he, more so than any other athlete participating in professional mixed martial arts, should’ve known the ramifications of PEDs.
Especially, given the fact, that suspicions have been rife with regards to he how went from a lean 205-pounder to an Incredible Hulk-type figure.
The UFC top brass were looking to him to be the next big thing, not only in the heavyweight division, but also in MMA. I’m assuming Dana White and company did the requisite splurging to make that a reality, but it’s now gone up in smoke.
The former Strikeforce, Dream and K-1 titlist in all likelihood could’ve been crowned the UFC champion. However, he now faces an uphill struggle to redeem himself and as well as make amends to his tainted image.
Furthermore, it’s not a foregone conclusion that the 31-year-old will be an employee of the Zuffa-based promotion when he returns to the world of combative fighting.
Gaining an advantage over an opponent with anything, unless otherwise stated by the powers that be is cheating, and Overeem (36-11-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) did just that.
As things stand, “The Demolition Man” is now in the MMA wilderness, and he has only himself to blame.
For additional information, follow Nedu Obi on Twitter.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com