Well thanks to Alistair Overeem being what UFC President Dana White describes as a “brain-dead absolute #%*$% dummy,” the much-anticipated main event at UFC 146 has been put into doubt.Overeem, who was slated to fight current champion Junior dos Sant…
Well thanks to Alistair Overeem being what UFC President Dana Whitedescribes as a “brain-dead absolute #%*$% dummy,” the much-anticipated main event at UFC 146 has been put into doubt.
Overeem, who was slated to fight current champion Junior dos Santos just failed a prefight drug test, less than two months before they’re set to battle.
With Overeem now likely to face a lengthy suspension, the UFC heavyweight division is now in shambles.
The man who Overeem destroyed in December can’t rescue the UFC, as Brock Lesnar signed a deal to return to the WWE just this past Saturday.
Overeem, a man that UFC fans have clamored to see in the Octagon for years may have just jeopardized his career in the organization. Though his great athletic ability, charisma and overall look make him appear to be a huge star in the making, his decision making is costing him big time.
No matter this potential he still needs the UFC much more than they need him, and it’s a dumb move like this that could have him fighting in Europe for some third-rate organization.
With Alistair now likely out at UFC 146, who may fight Dos Santos and try to bring some balance back to this division that’s in turmoil? Let’s take a look.
Alistair Overeem tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone and as per the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Overeem must stand before the commission officials in order to receive a license. The news sent shock waves throughout the MMA wo…
Alistair Overeem tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone and as per the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Overeem must stand before the commission officials in order to receive a license.
The news sent shock waves throughout the MMA world because of the realization that the main event of UFC 146 may be tweaked, if not scrapped completely, and though Overeem was never licensed to fight reigning UFC Heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos at UFC 146, a negative test for a “B” sample may salvage the fight. The downside, though, is that the results of the “A” sample make it unlikely that the “B” sample will render a negative sample.
After lots of time to cool off about it, though, it becomes apparent that this issue adds on to what might be one of MMA’s two most ridiculous debates, which in this case is the endless headache of a testosterone debate.
If we’re keeping tabs on the history of this issue, it all started after UFC 117, when Chael Sonnen tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone, which is where the roots of the Testosterone Replacement Therapy debate were planted, as the TRT was meant to treat his hypogonadism, and after that, the positive testosterone tests seemed to just flow right afterwards.
After Sonnen’s test, Nate Marquardt and Dan Henderson were well publicized for their use of TRT, as was Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Now Overeem has been popped for elevated levels of testosterone, but what does it matter right now?
First of all, this is supposedly no surprise to anyone, and the basis for it being no surprise to anyone is his transformation from a light-heavyweight to a heavyweight, but while he looks like an animal now, it’s not difficult to think that Overeem knows how to do it without cycling steroids. As a professional athlete, one would hope that Overeem, who has been defending himself from steroid claims since age 17, has discovered the proper techniques needed to properly pack on the weight needed to make a successful run in the 265-pound division.
Secondly, we have to eventually hear Overeem’s end of this ordeal before we shred him for what is, by all truthful admissions, a rather stupid move. As tough as that concept is for some to grasp when it comes to the sports world, the truth is that there are two sides to every story, and Overeem’s must be heard, plain and simple.
Overeem has not and will never strike a whole lot of people as a person who would stoop so low as to purposely break rules or intentionally cheat to win, especially in contending with the biggest fight of his long MMA career. But it’s easy to hear that he finally got popped for something that some prematurely assume he used against a UFC hype machine in Brock Lesnar, and it’s a completely different animal to actually hear his case so that some may understand how he let himself reach those levels.
Aside from that, we must also remember that there is a “B” sample in the hands of the commission, and if the second sample doesn’t test the same as the first one, then the fight is still on.
Thirdly, and finally, we have to take the worldwide fan reaction to this news into a great deal of account. There are obviously those that, for contrasting reasons, side with the commission in saying that what Overeem did was wrong and that the right action should be taken in light of this recent drug test failure. However, there are also those who recognize the results achieved inside the cage by Overeem, and feel that one failed drug test should not overshadow the fighter that Overeem is.
In short, there are a lot of things that we must keep in mind about this situation before we jump the gun on this whole debate and tear Overeem apart. Did he make a huge mistake with this positive test? Yes, he did, but as is the case with any positive drug test, we cannot write the case off once we hear that an athlete tested positive for something.
What we need to do is wait until Overeem presents his case to the NSAC in his mission to renew his fighter’s license. Furthermore, we need to actually listen to his case when it comes out before we continue with these empty, meaningless conversations about Frank Mir or Cain Velasquez filling in the void for Overeem against Junior Dos Santos. If the case does prove obsolete and Overeem doesn’t get licensed, then so be it. It will not mark the end of Overeem’s career if the NSAC denies him a license, though, it will be a long road before Overeem can get back to a title shot.
If Overeem should get licensed, however, watch out for the man they call “The Reem,” because after splitting with his longtime camp, going through with multiple drug tests before his UFC debut, getting sued by his former management team, dealing with the critics who expected him to be soundly annihilated in his UFC debut and now this drug fiasco, Overeem is going to be a much more dangerous man than he was in his last outing inside the Octagon.
What’s the craziest part about it?
After bringing it to UFC 146 and giving the fans the fight they wanted to see from the get-go, he will take a post-fight drug test, as is mandated for all main-eventers after a fight card. And as ludicrous as it will sound, Overeem will pass it with flying colors.
I was happy in my own world—a blissful world filled with science fiction novels, Five Guys and awesome heavyweight UFC fights. In my world, a fighter like Alistair Overeem looks like a Greek statue because he has been blessed by God, Darwin and t…
I was happy in my own world—a blissful world filled with science fiction novels, Five Guys and awesome heavyweight UFC fights. In my world, a fighter like Alistair Overeem looks like a Greek statue because he has been blessed by God, Darwin and the vitamin-packed water of Holland. His muscles ripple because of his natural state of being—a state closer to Hercules than modern man.
Thanks, Nevada State Athletic Commission, for waking me up from a rather pleasant dream.
Now, I know it’s not fair to blame the messenger. After all, Overeem was the one caught red-handed, testing positive for a level of testosterone unheard of in mortals—even Lou Ferrigno or Arnold.
Intellectually, I know Overeem is the one who may very well cost fans an incredible heavyweight title fight at UFC 146. My brain is screaming at me that Nevada is not to blame. That Keith Kizer was just doing his job, conducting out of competition tests he’s been threatening for years.
But, darn it all, I wanted to see that fight.
I know we are supposed to be concerned about the scourge of PEDs and steroids. A thousand Mike Lupica segments on the Sports Reporters has taught us that much. But it’s really hard for me to muster up a care.
Are steroids harmful? Possibly. Probably. Maybe. Some would argue that under a doctor’s care, they can be safely regulated. And, if so, don’t we want fighters to be the best they possibly can be? The human ideal? Don’t we want them to recover more quickly from injury, to workout harder and to develop their bodies until it’s a weapon in the form of muscle and bone?
There’s a part of me that wants the UFC to go John L. Sullivan on us and put Overeem on a barge in international waters Police Gazette style. That’s how boxing got around the long arm of the law when it was illegal in the early 1900’s.
Of course, such a thing is completely out of the question.
The blessing of State Athletic Commissions is the great legitimizer for Dana White. It is a powerful argument in favor of the UFC’s very existence. Risking that in order for Alistair Overeem to train a little harder would be the height of foolishness.
If only for appearance sake, we need our sport to take a hard line against performance enhancers. I understand this.
UFC 146’s main event is now in jeopardy after learning that No.1 contender Alistair Overeem failed his pre-fight drug test.The tests were conducted following a press conference last week and involving six of the fighters on the main card, including Ove…
UFC 146‘s main event is now in jeopardy after learning that No.1 contender Alistair Overeem failed his pre-fight drug test.
The tests were conducted following a press conference last week and involving six of the fighters on the main card, including Overeem and Junior dos Santos.
A statement was released earlier today by Nevada Athletic State Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer revealing that the Dutchman’s testosterone levels were greater than 10:1—the NSAC’s guidelines are that a fighter’s levels cannot be any higher than 6:1.
“The following athletes were tested on March 27: Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Frank Mir, Cain Velasquez, Roy Nelson and Antonio Silva,” Kizer said in a statement.
Upon learning the news, UFC President Dana White wasn’t too pleased.
“I am beyond pissed about this,” White told Canadian media during a conference call on Wednesday (transcribed by TheStarPhoenix.com.)
“How (expletive) stupid do you have to be? Seriously dumb. Anybody who’s using (performance-enhancing drugs) right now is an absolute (expletive) moron,” he said.
Overeem made his debut for the company last December when he squared off against former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 141.
Overeem made quick work of Lesnar, finishing him withing three minutes of the opening round and secured his position to challenge for the UFC heavyweight title.
Prior to signing with the company, White said Overeem sat down with him and UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and said he was clean and insisted he would pass all drug tests.
When asked to comment on a possible replacement for Overeem, should he be pulled from the event, White did not mention any names.
One fighter who is being considered to step in for the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion is Frank Mir.
Mir released a statement earlier today and expressed his interest in competing for the UFC heavyweight title.
Mir is currently on a three-fight win streak and is coming off arguably the biggest victory of his career against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140.
With the main event slot left open momentarily, White is unsure of Overeem’s future in the UFC. It is expected Overeem is to meet with Fertitta and the NSAC to discuss his pre-fight drug results.
“I don’t have a plan-B,” he said. “It doesn’t look good.”
With word out today that Alistair Overeem has been popped for elevated testosterone, the idea of Testosterone Replacement Therapy, or TRT, is back in the headlines. (TRT is called cheating and a form of drug abuse in every other major sport, as well a…
With word out today that Alistair Overeem has been popped for elevated testosterone, the idea of Testosterone Replacement Therapy, or TRT, is back in the headlines. (TRT is called cheating and a form of drug abuse in every other major sport, as well as in the UFC if you aren’t lucky enough to find a doctor to provide you a convincing prescription.)
That’s the last place UFC President Dana White wants it.
You see, in just two short months, the UFC returns to Brazil for the long anticipated, and often derided rematch between UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and previously vanquished foe, Mr. Always Be Testosteronin’, Chael Sonnen.
The thing about Mr. A.B.T. is that, in addition to being a can’t-miss interview and beloved UFC heel, he suffers from the wretched condition of the dreaded Low T. Luckily, he lives in an age where he can acquire, and the UFC allows, Testosterone Replacement Therapy. (With the right prescription from the right doctor—it will help if he’s willing to get up and help you out at hearings. And do it with a straight face.)
And here’s the deal. Early reports are that Overeem’s T level was lower than what got Mr. A.B.T. in trouble in his first bout against Spider Silva. White will do his best to steer the debate away from comparisons to Sonnen and the issues that raises, but Dana doesn’t exactly wield a huge club with the media at large, so we’ll see how that goes.
And once you discuss TRT, how can you not bring HGH into the fold? UFC God-Man Randy Couture might have something to say about that, if you believe certain old Joe Rogan interviews. The UFC’s lore is built on Couture, and they need his aura to last. Rumored HGH use won’t help that.
We’ll sit back and see how it all shakes out, maybe a mystery prescription will appear and it will become a ‘paperwork’ issue again.
Except that’s not what TRT is. It’s a cheating issue, plain and simple, whether Dana White will want to admit it (yet) or not.
As the old saying goes, “bad news travels fast.” With that in mind, 99 percent of us living in the bubble that is the world of mixed martial arts already know that Alistair Overeem has tested positive for elevated testosterone levels. If yo…
As the old saying goes, “bad news travels fast.” With that in mind, 99 percent of us living in the bubble that is the world of mixed martial arts already know that Alistair Overeem has tested positive for elevated testosterone levels.
If you didn’t know that, well, it’s true. Overeem and five other UFC heavyweight fighters, Junior dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, Antonio Silva, Frank Mir and Roy Nelson were all administered drug tests following the recent press conference for UFC 146. All passed with the exception of Overeem.
According to Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer, in an email to Bleacher Report, Overeem had a testosterone to epitestosterone level of 10:1, putting him above allowable levels.
This failed test puts the UFC 146 main event on some very shaky ground. Overeem was set to meet UFC heavyweight champion Dos Santos on the May 26 fight card.
With four other heavyweight bouts on the main card, some shuffling may be needed. On the positive side, the UFC has nine other heavyweights trained and ready to step in for Overeem, which presents an interesting situation for UFC matchmaker Joe Silva.
Perhaps looking to make things a little easier on Silva, Frank Mir, who is scheduled to meet Cain Velasquez on the UFC 146 fight card, offered the following statement via email:
I would be excited if given the opportunity to compete for the UFC’s heavyweight title at UFC 146 if the reports released earlier today regarding Alistair Overeem failing his ‘A’ sample drug test are true.
I have been fortunate to be able to fight in the UFC for more than a decade, and it is a dream of mine to become the first three-time heavyweight champion in the UFC. Being able to fight Junior Dos Santos would put me one step closer to that dream.
The UFC has not issued an official statement on Overeem’s test results at this time.
Trent Reinsmith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise stated, all quotes were obtained first-hand.
