Tag: drug tests

The Unsupportable Opinion: Why Allowing Alistair Overeem to Fight Junior Dos Santos Is the Best Thing for MMA


(Come on guys, I promise never to let you down again…pinky swear! / Photo courtesy of CombatLifestyle)

By Josh Hutchinson

Alistair Overeem — former Strikeforce and Dream heavyweight champion, K-1 Grand Prix champion, two-time World MMA Awards International Fighter of the Year recipient, horse-meat enthusiast, music video superstar, and the #1 contender in the UFC’s heavyweight division. By now we all know the drama surrounding him and his scheduled championship fight at UFC 146. We’ve seen various replacement opponents for Junior Dos Santos get shot down, and have come to a general consensus that the Reem is most likely a cheating bastard. Fans and pundits alike have collectively called bullshit on the idea that NSAC would still consider letting the fight occur. If you take things like science, logic, and common sense into account, it’s pretty obvious what should happen here — but if we don’t play devil’s advocate, who will? Instead, let’s look at three reasons why Overeem vs. Dos Santos must happen. For example…

1) Why let all this publicity go to waste? Of the major MMA news stories that have popped up over the last few weeks, which one has dominated the headlines? If you said “Overeem’s urine analysis results,” then congratulations — you’ve not only been reading this site, but you have a much better vocabulary than me, because I would have said “Reem’s hot piss test.” For better or worse, Overeem’s dodgy test results have consumed the MMA world like the plagues of Egypt, and his name is on everyone’s lips. Maybe it’s not exactly the publicity that the UFC was hoping for, but they’d be fools not to take advantage of it. Dos Santos is such a likeable, soft-spoken character, and it would be very easy to spin the Reem as the villain in their match. And suddenly, what was simply a great heavyweight matchup just got a compelling storyline.


(Come on guys, I promise never to let you down again…pinky swear! / Photo courtesy of CombatLifestyle)

By Josh Hutchinson

Alistair Overeem — former Strikeforce and Dream heavyweight champion, K-1 Grand Prix champion, two-time World MMA Awards International Fighter of the Year recipient, horse-meat enthusiast, music video superstar, and the #1 contender in the UFC’s heavyweight division. By now we all know the drama surrounding him and his scheduled championship fight at UFC 146. We’ve seen various replacement opponents for Junior Dos Santos get shot down, and have come to a general consensus that the Reem is most likely a cheating bastard. Fans and pundits alike have collectively called bullshit on the idea that NSAC would still consider letting the fight occur. If you take things like science, logic, and common sense into account, it’s pretty obvious what should happen here — but if we don’t play devil’s advocate, who will? Instead, let’s look at three reasons why Overeem vs. Dos Santos must happen. For example…

1) Why let all this publicity go to waste? Of the major MMA news stories that have popped up over the last few weeks, which one has dominated the headlines? If you said “Overeem’s urine analysis results,” then congratulations — you’ve not only been reading this site, but you have a much better vocabulary than me, because I would have said “Reem’s hot piss test.” For better or worse, Overeem’s dodgy test results have consumed the MMA world like the plagues of Egypt, and his name is on everyone’s lips. Maybe it’s not exactly the publicity that the UFC was hoping for, but they’d be fools not to take advantage of it. Dos Santos is such a likeable, soft-spoken character, and it would be very easy to spin the Reem as the villain in their match. And suddenly, what was simply a great heavyweight matchup just got a compelling storyline.

Besides, the UFC needs all the marquee fights it can get right now. The promotion’s relentless expansion has given us 14 seasons of The Ultimate Fighter (with two versions currently airing in two different countries), a monster broadcasting deal with FOX, and the ground-work for Zuffa’s eventual global domination. What we’ve also seen is dropping viewership for the reality show, unspectacular numbers for the FOX broadcasts, and the loss of one of their biggest pay-per-view draws of all time in the form of a questionably tattooed professional wrestler named Brock Lesnar. If the UFC wants to keep the wrestling fans that Lesnar brought over with him, who better than The Reem? Christ, the man already looks like a pro wrestler, and he was the fighter responsible for ushering Brock back to his natural “sport” in the first place. For those crossover viewers, Overeem is the perfect heir apparent for Lesnar’s proverbial passing of the larger-than-life heavyweight torch. Not only did he send Lesnar packing, but he did in such a dominant fashion that even WWE fanboys wanted to see an encore performance.

2) Overeem sure as hell isn’t the only main event fighter to fail a test for PEDs/testosterone/etc. Take Chael Sonnen, for instance. He came in with a T:E ratio even higher than Overeem’s, charmed the CSAC until his suspension was cut in half, and will be fighting for the middleweight title again this summer. It’s not like a funky test is a career-killer, as long as you can still put asses in seats. Just ask Josh Barnett and Tim Sylvia, who both had to relinquish UFC heavyweight titles because of steroid busts, before resuming their careers like nothing happened. Or Vitor Belfort, Stephen Bonnar, Sean Sherk, and Chris Leben, who are still under contract with the UFC. Or Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock, both original members of the UFC Hall of Fame. Does a past suspension for PED use take away from their accomplishments? Maybe. As I said in the introduction, I’m not here to throw around facts like some asshole in a parade throws out candy — I’m only here to make unsupportable claims. As I’m sure you’ve all watched these fighters at some point (big stretch right?), you know that they’re some of the most exciting fighters in the game, and we fans, above all else, like a good scrap. Which brings me to my final point…

3) Who the hell in their right mind doesn’t want to see this fight? Has there been a better UFC heavyweight matchup since Randy Couture vs. Tim Sylvia? (Note: feel free to argue for Mir vs. Lesnar 2, but don’t waste my time by mentioning Velazquez vs. Dos Santos.) The build-up alone has been phenomenal. In all honesty, the Dutchman and the Brazilian will produce as great a stand-up battle as we could ever hope for in this sport, and deep down, we all know this is the match that everyone wants to see, including the guys who call the shots at Zuffa. Therefore, Mr. Keith Kizer, if you are reading this, and the NSAC decides to let Overeem fight, it would be much appreciated if you could let “them” know that we supported this decision all along. Lord knows we could use some good credit in regards to certain UFC brass.

Well Nation, you have heard my arguments, which should passionately appeal to the alcoholics, drug addicts, and assorted nutjobs out there. (You know who you are.) Until we all find out the outcome of this tawdry little soap opera, feel free to argue about it in the comments section…

-Hutch-

[EXCLUSIVE] Keith Kizer Says He Does Not Expect Alistair Overeem to Apply for Therapeutic Use Exemption

By Elias Cepeda


(Photo via Esther Lin & MMAFighting )

A week before he will appear before the Nevada State Athletic Commission for a hearing regarding his failed March drug test and to request a license to fight Junior Dos Santos at UFC 146, the NSAC’s Executive Director Keith Kizer says that Alistair Overeem’s legal team has yet to request additional sample tests or to indicate that they will apply for a therapeutic use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy.

“They’ve asked for no additional testing ,” Kizer told CagePotato.com. “I have talked with Overeem’s attorney and that issue has not been raised.”

“He has not indicated what [Overeem’s] defense will be, but he has not said to me, as I’m sure he would have if he was using it, that [Overeem] is on TRT,” Kizer continued. “That is not to say that they could not still make that case and ask for a therapeutic use exemption for TRT, but if they do, I’d be as shocked as the next person. We’ll all see what they do when April 24th comes around.”

When Overeem’s hearing does take place in one week, Kizer anticipates that the fighter will not have an easy road to getting licensed again. “It is going to be a very tough hearing for Mr. Overeem, to say the least,” Kizer said.

By Elias Cepeda


(Photo via Esther Lin & MMAFighting )

A week before he Alistair Overeem Gets April 24th NSAC Hearing” href=”http://www.cagepotato.com/alistair-overeem-gets-april-24th-nsac-hearing/” target=”_blank”>will appear before the Nevada State Athletic Commission for a hearing regarding his failed March drug test and to request a license to fight Junior Dos Santos at UFC 146, the NSAC’s Executive Director Keith Kizer says that Alistair Overeem’s legal team has yet to request additional sample tests or to indicate that they will apply for a therapeutic use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy.

“They’ve asked for no additional testing ,” Kizer told CagePotato.com. “I have talked with Overeem’s attorney and that issue has not been raised.”

“He has not indicated what [Overeem’s] defense will be, but he has not said to me, as I’m sure he would have if he was using it, that [Overeem] is on TRT,” Kizer continued. “That is not to say that they could not still make that case and ask for a therapeutic use exemption for TRT, but if they do, I’d be as shocked as the next person. We’ll all see what they do when April 24th comes around.”

When Overeem’s hearing does take place in one week, Kizer anticipates that the fighter will not have an easy road to getting licensed again. “It is going to be a very tough hearing for Mr. Overeem, to say the least,” Kizer said.

The fact that Overeem previously failed to hand in samples for testing to the commission on time, will be relevant in the coming hearing, Kizer says.

“This is a lot different and a lot tougher [than Overeem’s last licensing hearing] come April 24th,” Kizer said. “What happened [before] is going to be very relevant. But the biggest relevancy to the commission’s decision this time will be what happened in March.”

A urine sample collected by the NSAC from Overeem on March 27th came back showing a testosterone to epitestosterone  ratio of 14:1, in excess of the 6:1 ration that the state commission allows. That test counted as one of the two surprise tests Overeem had agreed to be subjected to by the NSAC in a six-month period  as a part of a conditional license he was issued to fight Brock Lesnar in late December after the Dutch fighter tested and turned in a sample for testing weeks late.

Overeem’s conditional license expired after 2011. In order to obtain another license in Nevada to fight in his schedule title bout against Dos Santos, he has to appear before the NSAC on April 24th. The commission cannot suspend an unlicensed fighter for a failed drug test, but they can take into account Overeem’s recent screening results in deciding whether or not to issue a license to him.

Overeem’s failed test was of his ‘A’ sample. He has the right to ask the commission to test the ‘B’ sample he provided in March. Because Nevada does sometimes issue therapeutic use exemptions to some fighters to allow them to use otherwise banned substances and treatments (like testosterone replacement therapy) which could potentially alter a fighter’s testosterone levels and testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratios, it has been speculated that Overeem might apply for a TRT therapeutic use exemption with the commission, claiming a medical need for the therapy. As of now, that doesn’t seem to be the approach that Overeem will take while defending himself and re-applying for licensure next week.

Alistair Overeem Shows Up on ‘MMA Uncensored Live’, Refuses to Talk About Drug Test [VIDEO]

(Props: Spike TV via Fightlinker)

It’s been over a week since news broke of Alistair Overeem failing his random pre-fight drug test, and the Reem has been quiet as a mouse ever since. Now would be a good time for him to start making the media rounds with an explanation, or an apology, or at least an acknowledgment that he failed the test and potentially wrecked a massive UFC heavyweight title fight. So what does this big son-of-a-bitch do? He goes on Spike TV’s MMA Uncenscored Live on Thursday, on the condition that he won’t discuss the drug-test situation in any way, and instead gives a straight interview about his matchup with Junior Dos Santos, which again, probably won’t happen.

Luckily, the hosts didn’t swallow the bullshit. “Either P90X really, really works, or the man was putting something in his body,” said host Craig Carton, looking at side-to-side photos of Overeem from 2005 and 2012. Nate Quarry agreed, saying “You’ve got to be very naive to take a look at those pictures and think he’s not using performance enhancing ‘supplements.’ Let’s just say he can put on 40 to 50 pounds of pure muscle in about four to five years — when 20 pounds of that is directly on your head, that’s an issue.”


(Props: Spike TV via Fightlinker)

It’s been over a week since news broke of Alistair Overeem failing his random pre-fight drug test, and the Reem has been quiet as a mouse ever since. Now would be a good time for him to start making the media rounds with an explanation, or an apology, or at least an acknowledgment that he failed the test and potentially wrecked a massive UFC heavyweight title fight. So what does this big son-of-a-bitch do? He goes on Spike TV’s MMA Uncenscored Live on Thursday, on the condition that he won’t discuss the drug-test situation in any way, and instead gives a straight interview about his matchup with Junior Dos Santos, which again, probably won’t happen.

Luckily, the hosts didn’t swallow the bullshit. “Either P90X really, really works, or the man was putting something in his body,” said host Craig Carton, looking at side-to-side photos of Overeem from 2005 and 2012. Nate Quarry agreed, saying “You’ve got to be very naive to take a look at those pictures and think he’s not using performance enhancing ‘supplements.’ Let’s just say he can put on 40 to 50 pounds of pure muscle in about four to five years — when 20 pounds of that is directly on your head, that’s an issue.”

When Mike Straka reminds his colleagues that it was just testosterone that Overeem came up positive for, he basically gets laughed off the set. Still, one of Straka’s lines earlier in the segment says it all: “There’s gonna have to be a miracle for him to get licensed to fight.”

Right now, that “miracle” would be the NSAC accepting some manufactured “testosterone deficiency/replacement therapy” excuse, just so the UFC doesn’t lose out on a massive payday. As much as we’d all like to see Overeem and JDS collide like a crazed pair of bull elephant seals, it would be a joke if this fight proceeds as planned.

[VIDEO] Michael Schiavello, Joe Rogan, and Josh Barnett Weigh in on Alistair Overeem’s UFC 146 Positive Drug Test


(Overeem likes his pecs like his K-1 trophies: abnormally large.) 

On a recent episode of Inside MMA, commentators Joe Rogan and Michael Schiavello sat down alongside Josh Barnett to discuss the topic that has thrown the MMA world into chaos over the past few days: Alistair Overeem’s positive drug test. Barnett wisely chose to remain silent for the duration of the conversation, likely because his last positive test was responsible for destroying the Afflicition promotion before it could spend itself into its own grave.

But it was Schiavello, a long time friend of Overeem, who took an interesting stance on the issue, basically saying that, if a fighter pisses hot anytime other than fight week, why should they be held accountable? Here’s what he said:

You know, while we’re talking about the subject, Kenny, I just wanna chime in here on a couple things that have been playing on my mind, the last week or so, since the news of Alistair (Overeem) broke. Alistair doesn’t have a license with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), so how are they testing him in the first place when he doesn’t have a license with them? By what jurisdiction are they testing him? And ‘B,’ everyone seems to be hanging Alistair out to dry. They’ve been nailing him to the cross and crucifying him, but it’s still two months away from his fight. You know, he hasn’t technically cheated. Because, unless he pisses hot on the fight night, how could he possibly have cheated? There’s still an opportunity he can get from the 14:1 down to the allowed 6:1 level by fight time. But we’re calling him out as a cheat, two months out from a fight?

Yes, Michael, we are calling him a cheat. Probably because he fucking cheated.

Check out the video, along with Mark Hunt’s reaction to the news, after the jump.


(Overeem likes his pecs like his K-1 trophies: abnormally large.) 

On a recent episode of Inside MMA, commentators Joe Rogan and Michael Schiavello sat down alongside Josh Barnett to discuss the topic that has thrown the MMA world into chaos over the past few days: Alistair Overeem’s positive drug test. Barnett wisely chose to remain silent for the duration of the conversation, likely because his last positive test was responsible for destroying the Afflicition promotion before it could spend itself into its own grave.

But it was Schiavello, a long time friend of Overeem, who took an interesting stance on the issue, basically saying that, if a fighter pisses hot anytime other than fight week, why should they be held accountable? Yeah, it sounds as bad as it is:

You know, while we’re talking about the subject, Kenny, I just wanna chime in here on a couple things that have been playing on my mind, the last week or so, since the news of Alistair (Overeem) broke. Alistair doesn’t have a license with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), so how are they testing him in the first place when he doesn’t have a license with them? By what jurisdiction are they testing him? And ‘B,’ everyone seems to be hanging Alistair out to dry. They’ve been nailing him to the cross and crucifying him, but it’s still two months away from his fight. You know, he hasn’t technically cheated. Because, unless he pisses hot on the fight night, how could he possibly have cheated? There’s still an opportunity he can get from the 14:1 down to the allowed 6:1 level by fight time. But we’re calling him out as a cheat, two months out from a fight?

Yes, Michael, we are calling him a cheat. Probably because he fucking cheated. Check out the video below and let us know what you think.

You see Michael, just because someone isn’t cheating at the exact time of their scheduled fight doesn’t mean that they should be allowed to freely and openly cheat in the off-season without repercussion. It’s like saying that someone shouldn’t be able to get a DWI if they aren’t holding a beer in their hand the moment a cop pulls them over. Would that be awesome? Of course, but it would result in a hell of a lot more accidents and deaths on the highway. Just like allowing certain fighters to use PED’s during training and step into the octagon against fighters who, you know, actually have some moral compass and want to try and win the natural way would result in the same. And let’s not even delve into how easy it is to cycle off steroids when one knows the test is coming. Bas Rutten backs this argument, so there is really nothing left to say.

But perhaps no criticism of Overeem’s horse-flavored piss was greater than that of Mark Hunt. As we all know, Hunt has been rallying to replace Overeem against Junior Dos Santos via Twitter-blitzkrieg lately, and has received widespread support from the MMA community, so perhaps his recent statements on The MMA Hour had ulterior motives behind them. In either case, when asked his thoughts on Overeem’s positive test, he went as far as to question the validity of Overeem’s entire career:

Drugs in all sports is a big problem. It’s a cutthroat business, people take this shit just to get by. I don’t use that shit, but when Alistair takes that shit or whoever takes it they just screw themselves out. Like when Barnett screwed himself out of the fight with Fedor. But who am I too judge anybody. I don’t take that shit and no one else should. If they do, that’s on them, Alistair got caught,that’s his problem and now he’s dealing with it and everything that Alistair has done is meaningless now. At the end of the day he just got caught cheating, so what’s the deal? I lost to him, so did he use that shit when I was fighting him? That’s on him, he has to live with that shit not me. It’s not my position to judge him, he has to look himself in the mirror. At the end of the day, I don’t give a crap who’s taking what. The steroids are not going to help them when I hit them. Take as much as you like, I don’t care.

It’s safe to say that if you haven’t gotten behind the #RallyforMarkHunt campaign yet, you can eat a bag of dicks. Other notable reactions from around the MMA world include:

Former UFC fighter Jason High, who tweeted: “LMAO…Overeem. Almost as surprising as the Cyborg incident. *looks for sarcasm font*”

Roy Nelson, who took the sarcastic approach: “yea! just found via internet that I PASSED MY DRUG TEST! It was close but I passed. #Nodoubts @ufc @danawhite“

And Joe Duarte, who went with a classic standby: ” ‘It wasn’t me, it was the horses, I swear!’  – Alistair Overeem”

All kidding aside, depending on the outcome of Overeem’s scheduled NSAC hearing on April 24th, it looks like it will be the fans, especially those who’ve already purchased UFC 146 tickets, who will be getting screwed as a result of Overeem’s insolence. Now that the California State Athletic Commission is pushing for the legal, therapeutic exemption of testosterone, we can only expect to see more elevated T/E levels, and the issues therein, in the future.

-J. Jones

CSAC Passes Amendment Allowing Therapeutic Exemptions for TRT and Marijuana


(Could I get JUST ONE of those exemptions, por favor?) 

Some big news out of California today, as it appears that the California State Athletic Commission has taken a huge step towards legalizing the therapeutic use of testosterone and marijuana in mixed martial arts competition. SI.com was the first to break the news:

The California State Athletic Commission voted on Monday to approve an amendment that allows therapeutic use exemptions (TUE) for combat sports’ athletes who use drugs currently banned by the state agency for medical purposes, including testosterone and marijuana.

To be adopted into state law, the amendment’s verbiage must now be reviewed and approved by the Department of Consumer Affairs and then the state’s Office of Administrative Law, a process that could take months or even years, if it passes at all.

OK, so it’s not as big of news as one could have hoped, but it’s something, right? Then again, depending on your stance on testosterone replacement therapy (or marijuana for that matter), this could be a step in the wrong direction for the sport of MMA.


(Could I get JUST ONE of those exemptions, por favor?) 

Some big news out of California today, as it appears that the California State Athletic Commission has taken a huge step towards legalizing the therapeutic use of testosterone and marijuana in mixed martial arts competition. SI.com was the first to break the news:

The California State Athletic Commission voted on Monday to approve an amendment that allows therapeutic use exemptions (TUE) for combat sports’ athletes who use drugs currently banned by the state agency for medical purposes, including testosterone and marijuana.

To be adopted into state law, the amendment’s verbiage must now be reviewed and approved by the Department of Consumer Affairs and then the state’s Office of Administrative Law, a process that could take months or even years, if it passes at all.

OK, so it’s not as big of news as one could have hoped, but it’s something, right? Then again, depending on your stance on testosterone replacement therapy (or marijuana for that matter), this could be a step in the wrong direction for the sport of MMA. Personally, I could care less if someone smokes a little weed in the off season; the fact that it is still demonized by some in our current over-prescribed, pill-popping culture is nothing short of ridiculous. As for TRT, well, it seems a little odd to me that some of the most physically fit athletes in the world would have a testosterone problem to begin with, but I’m just going to plead ignorance and leave it at that.

Few can forget who spearheaded this amendment in the first place, none other than the man with the “biggest arms in MMA,” Chael Sonnen. Following his fifth round submission loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 117, Sonnen’s post-fight drug test came back positive for an absurdly high amount of testosterone. Chael would appeal the one year suspension he received thereafter on the grounds that he had received an exemption from the previous commission for his medical diagnosed case of hypogonadism. When no such paperwork was found by newly appointed CSAC executive director George Dodd, Sonnen’s suspension was reduced then quickly reinstated.

Believe it or not, among the fighters to receive therapeutic exemptions for testosterone was Dan Henderson before his fight with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 139:

Dodd told SI.com in December that Henderson’s rigorous approval process served as a test case that the commission used to evaluate its proposed TUE requirements.

Like Henderson, one of three fighters approved for a testosterone TUE in Nevada, Dodd said future TUE candidates would need to provide extensive medical records documenting past use of the drug for medical purposes.

For a testosterone exemption specifically, Dodd said an applicant would be asked to provide blood tests prior to (30 days before) and after a contest to ensure levels were within acceptable margins. Dodd said that all materials submitted would be reviewed by the CSAC’s medical advisory board, which added an endocrinologist to its ranks on Monday for such cases.

Definitely an interesting development in this whole TRT issue to say the least. And though nothing was mentioned about marijuana usage in the article, we will keep you informed as to any developments regarding this legislation as they develop.

-J. Jones

Alistair Overeem Surprise Drug Test Comes Back Positive, UFC 146 Title Bout in Jeopardy


(It’s always the ones you least suspect. / Photo via MMAFighting)

By Elias Cepeda

As we reported nearly one week ago, six heavyweights on the UFC 146 card were surprise-tested for drugs in Nevada after a press conference in Las Vegas. Today, Nevada State Athletic Commission Director Keith Kizer told CagePotato through a written statement that while five of those fighters passed their tests, number one heavyweight title contender Alistair Overeem (who was slated to fight Junior Dos Santos on the May card) did not:

“The following athletes were tested on March 27:  Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Frank Mir, Cain Velasquez, Roy Nelson and Antonio Silva.  All test results were negative, except Mr. Overeem tested positive for an increased T/E ratio (> 10).  Mr. Overeem will need to appear before the Commission if he seeks licensure,” Kizer’s statement reads.

Overeem was granted a conditional license to compete in Nevada at the end of the year after missing deadlines for testing. As a part of that conditional license, he was subject to additional surprise drug screenings like the one administered last week.


(It’s always the ones you least suspect. / Photo via MMAFighting)

By Elias Cepeda

As we reported nearly one week ago, six heavyweights on the UFC 146 card were surprise-tested for drugs in Nevada after a press conference in Las Vegas. Today, Nevada State Athletic Commission Director Keith Kizer told CagePotato through a written statement that while five of those fighters passed their tests, number one heavyweight title contender Alistair Overeem (who was slated to fight Junior Dos Santos on the May card) did not:

“The following athletes were tested on March 27:  Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Frank Mir, Cain Velasquez, Roy Nelson and Antonio Silva.  All test results were negative, except Mr. Overeem tested positive for an increased T/E ratio (> 10).  Mr. Overeem will need to appear before the Commission if he seeks licensure,” Kizer’s statement reads.

Overeem was granted a conditional license to compete in Nevada at the end of the year after missing deadlines for testing. As a part of that conditional license, he was subject to additional surprise drug screenings like the one administered last week.

The NSAC is saying that Overeem tested for a higher than usual testosterone to epitestosterone rate than is commonly found in humans. Such high levels are considered evidence of doping by athletes by regulatory bodies like Nevada’s athletic commission.

Overeem does not get a suspended license because of the test result, per se, since his conditional license has expired. But, in order to be licensed in Nevada, he will have to appear before a NSAC hearing to make his case. Without being licensed in Nevada, Overeem will not be able to challenge Dos Santos for the UFC belt next month.

We asked Kizer that if Overeem does, in fact, apply for a license and request a hearing before the NSAC, would the state try to hold that hearing before his scheduled May 26th fight. Kizer replied, “of course.”

We will keep you updated on this story as developments occur.

Update #1: Dana White is “beyond pissed” about the situation, and Frank Mir is already lobbying to replace Overeem against Dos Santos.