Alistair Overeem claims a doctor-prescribed medication for a rib injury caused him to fail a recent drug test due to an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone (T/E) ratio.
Overeem today released a statement to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) and other outlets ahead of his Tuesday's hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Overeem, who failed the test after having a 14-to-1 T/E ratio (well over the 6-to-1 limit), recently was replaced in next month's UFC 146 main event with heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos, though he claims he withdrew.
UFC president Dana White announced on Friday that ex-champ Frank Mir (16-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) replaced Overeem (36-11 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in the May 26 title fight with Dos Santos (14-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC), which airs live on pay-per-view from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Overeem's surprise drug test was conducted on March 27 following a event-kickoff press conference in Las Vegas. According to the fighter, he didn't know his prescribed medication was mixed with testosterone, and he plans to argue as much as Tuesday's hearing.
Overeem's full statement, which his management team at Authentic Sports Management provided, includes:
Quote:
I am deeply saddened to announce that on Friday, April 20, I respectfully withdrew from the May 26 event so that I can request a continuance until my situation with the Nevada State Athletic Commission is resolved.
I cannot express how sorry I am to the Commission, Junior Dos Santos, the fans, the owners and employees of the UFC, my friends and family and anyone else who this has affected.
I absolutely do not believe in, nor do I use performance-enhancing drugs. I am a clean fighter and I will do whatever it takes to prove this to everyone.
Prior to the UFC 146 press conference in March, I aggravated an old rib injury on my left side. My doctor prescribed, and I accepted, an anti-inflammatory medication that was mixed with testosterone. I was completely unaware that testosterone was one of the ingredients in the medication. Although I was unaware, I do realize it is my job to know what I am putting into my body.
I respect the Nevada Commissioners and Executive Director Keith Kizer and what they are doing to keep the sport of mixed martial arts regulated and safe for athletes. I look forward to working with them in the days and weeks ahead.
Friends and fans, I ask for your patience as I work through this matter. Please support me. I promise to return to the Octagon soon.
I cannot express how sorry I am to the Commission, Junior Dos Santos, the fans, the owners and employees of the UFC, my friends and family and anyone else who this has affected.
I absolutely do not believe in, nor do I use performance-enhancing drugs. I am a clean fighter and I will do whatever it takes to prove this to everyone.
Prior to the UFC 146 press conference in March, I aggravated an old rib injury on my left side. My doctor prescribed, and I accepted, an anti-inflammatory medication that was mixed with testosterone. I was completely unaware that testosterone was one of the ingredients in the medication. Although I was unaware, I do realize it is my job to know what I am putting into my body.
I respect the Nevada Commissioners and Executive Director Keith Kizer and what they are doing to keep the sport of mixed martial arts regulated and safe for athletes. I look forward to working with them in the days and weeks ahead.
Friends and fans, I ask for your patience as I work through this matter. Please support me. I promise to return to the Octagon soon.
Because Overeem is not currently licensed, he does not face an immediate suspension and/or fine. However, the NSAC could deny his license or sanction him in other ways.
The NSAC issued a condition license to Overeem in late 2011 to fight Brock Lesnar at UFC 141.
After missing a pre-fight drug test for that December event, Overeem's fight with Lesnar was contingent on undergoing additional drug testing. During an NSAC hearing in December, he said he had missed the test while flying to Holland to care for his ailing mother. Concerns over the missed drug test and efforts to get him tested in his native country led the commission to issue a conditional license in which he was required to submit to two pre-fight tests, a fight-night test, and two random tests within six months of the fight. The license expired on Dec. 31.
The UFC 146 pre-fight test this past month was one of Overeem's two random tests. The former Strikeforce champion was among six top-billed fighters who were tested for the all-heavyweight PPV card. All other fighters tested clean for performance-enhancing drugs and drugs of abuse.
MMAjunkie.com will be on scene and reporting live from Tuesday's NSAC hearing with Overeem.
Source: After failed test, UFC's Alistair Overeem blames prescribed medication for high T/E ratio
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