Looks like it’s going to be another crazy week in the MMA world, and for very similar reasons to the days leading up to UFC 200. This time, instead of Jon Jones’ ongoing drama, we are force fed the news that Brock Lesnar has also failed a drug test. USADA (United States Anti Doping Agency) has caught another UFC superstar, and again UFC 200 has it’s aura damaged in the wake of a less than thrilling event. The questions brought to light by the second failed drug test announcement in as many weeks are many and deep.
Did the UFC know about Lesnar’s failed drug test before he competed? It’s a pondering that’s worth considering, bu remember that Jones’ failed test was not announced until three days out from UFC 200, and his happened on June 16. Seeing as Brock’s pop was on June 28, the timelines would seem to match roughly. If anything it took USADA longer to announce ‘Bones’ had flunked a screen.
What does this mean for the future of the UFC? Just after officially changing ownership, the second high profile drug bust in a fortnight is anything but good. It’s almost ironic that the historic pay-per-view that was meant to celebrate a milestone in the promotion’s history, replicate the glory of UFC 100, has now ended up making quite the mockery the lead protagonists in this ongoing story.
One thing we do know now, whether this seems premature or not, is that USADA has officially ended the Brock Lesnar experiment within the UFC. It started way back in 2008 when the WWE superstar crossed over to mixed martial arts to face Frank Mir in just his second pro fight. Mir would submit Lesnar with a kneebar in one round at UFC 81, setting up their rematch at UFC 100.
After running through Heat Herring, Lesnar would face the legend Randy Couture at UFC 91. This was his defining moment and he grabbed the bull by the horns. Brock Lesnar was crowned the UFC heavyweight champion, and his revenge over Mir at UFC 100 went down in history as one of the most popular moments in the sport’s tapestry. The UFC 116 victory over Shane Carwin would lead to horrific beatings and TKO losses against Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem. We thought the Mexican and Dutchman had ended the experiment, but little did we know they’d just forced a break.
When Lesnar’s return was announced out of the blue on April 23, during the UFC 199 broadcast, the media storm around the larger than life pro wrestler started over anew. UFC 200 on July 9 with MArk Hunt as the confirmed opponent, ‘what a challenge!’ we though. How would ‘The Beast’ deal with such a heavy hitter. Unfortunately he’s clearly gone to illegal means to do so, and now his unanimous decision win over ‘The Super Samoan’ that night has lost all legitimacy.
Perhaps we should have seen it all along, maybe the USADA waiver of the four month testing period prior to his rejoining was just a coincidence, but surely his massively ripped physique was a clear sign? Of course that’s not to say he hadn’t worked really hard, and without knowing further details on his failed dope screen it’s hard to speculate on exactly what’s happened here. Again, the only thing we know for sure is that Brock Lesnar is now done fighting.
Potential outcomes for Lesnar could include a two year mandatory ban, a hefty fine or overturning of the result against Hunt. In terms of his rumoured title run, that’s over, as the new age of MMA drug testing claims it’s biggest (in all senses) victim to date.
For those thinking Brock Lesnar would ride off in to the sunset after a fairy tale win, think again, as we’ve learned time and time again in the past; what seems too good to be true probably is just that.
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