Many in the MMA world were hardly surprised when news broke this evening that Brock Lesnar had been notified by USADA of a potential anti-doping violation stemming from an out-of-competition drug test on June 28, 2016, but only one person had to face – and lose to – him at UFC 200.
That athlete was Mark Hunt, and he absorbed a smothering beating over the course of three full rounds in the co-main event of July 9’s scandal-ridden event. After fighting multiple heavyweights who later tested positive for PEDs and saying Lesnar was “juiced to the gills,” ‘The Super Samoan’ told MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani that he wants half of Lesnar’s $2.5 million purse, or he’ll choose to ask the UFC for his immediate release:
“The cheaters get a slap on the wrist and walk off. What penalty or deterrent is there to make them think twice? Nothing. And the [Nevada Athletic Commission], why should these [expletive] get anything? They are not the ones who had to fight with Lesnar or lose [to him]. I lost.”
From the perspective of a Top 10 heavyweight who was blanketed and battered by a hulking beast who was potentially on steroids, it’s understandable as to why Hunt feels the way he does.
UFC 200 was thrown into disarray only three days before showtime when former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was flagged by USADA for another potential violation, this time reportedly for two yet-to-be disclosed drugs. Although he was replaced by Anderson Silva on short notice, the so-called “biggest, baddest card of all-time” was downgraded in the eyes of many, and Lesnar’s potential failure will only further mar what was already a botched spectacle in the first place, regardless of reasoning or fault.
Lesnar and his team will likely request to have his B-sample tested, or with his victory over Hunt a supposed “one-off” from his WWE contract, he may choose to go back to pro-wrestling with a few more millions in the bank; that is, if Hunt doesn’t somehow get his hands on a part of that payday as he’s looking to.
Regardless, the whole scene is just one more bad look for the UFC, Lesnar, and Dana White, who spoke up to say Lesnar had been tested five times and was clean. Of course, he’s innocent until given full process through USADA’s extensive bylines.
With the WWE supposedly enforcing a more stringent Wellness Policy of their own, what’s truly going to be interesting is how Vince McMahon reacts to Lesnar’s potential violations – especially if they’re proven to be valid.
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