There is an old proverb that says, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” That said, it is becoming evident that the mysticism of Alistair Overeem and his ridiculously huge physique is fading. The surprise drug tests conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on March 27th on all six heavyweights that were taking part of UFC 146 were meant to do one thing, make an example out of someone if they did test positive. Five came back completely negative, with the exception of Alistair Overeem, who tested to have a T/E ratio of 14:1.
For those not aware of these results, it is this: He has not tested positive for any steroids or banned substances but his testasterone levels are equal to fourteen (14) males, all in one person. To put this into perspective consider this: a normal, healthy male ratio is 1:1, WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) allows up to 4:1 levels before they suspect doping, NSAC allows for fighters to test up to 6:1 ratio before becoming suspicious. This throws his claims of being “clean” and getting big from lifting, programs and horse meat diets. Unless the horse that Overeem consumed that morning had a T/E ratio of 14:1, then it all becomes perfectly sensible to believe he had a 14:1 ratio right?
Overeem was not always a behemoth, He made a switch from light heavyweight to heavyweight and suddenly began to bulk up rapidly. Critics for years have questioned his honesty in how he bulked up so much but die hard fans have supported the “Demolition Man” in the midst of all the negative rumors surrounding him.
This current scandal has the main event and title shot against Junior Dos Santos at UFC 146 in jeopardy but is not his first trouble with licensing since signing with Zuffa. Before his main event debut against Brock Lesnar for UFC 141, he ran into issues with submitting a test which he gave multiple “reasons” for delays but was granted a special conditions license by the NSAC, one of which was random tests, much like the one he has been popped for recently.
Away from Overeem, steroids are spreading like fire in MMA right now and causing a lot of fighters to look at suspensions or find themselves fired for their poor choices.
King Mo Lawal tested positive for Drostanolone after his victory over Lorenz Larkin. After receiving a year suspension and fines from the NSAC, Lawal took to his Twitter and made derogatory comments about the advisers; this plus his test results led to his termination from Zuffa.
Chris Leben has been popped twice for banned substances in post fight testing, most recently after a TKO loss to Mark Munoz at UFC 138. Oxycodone and oxymorphone were found in his system. Receiving a year long suspension, hopefully the veteran can decide if fighting is something he is still passionate about or if it is time to hang up the gloves on his career.
Being tested dirty twice and seemingly taking down the Affliction promotion single handily, a feat no other heavyweight fighter in history has accomplished former UFC champion Josh Barnett has maintained his innocence for his prior failed tests. Now in a position to redeem himself in the finals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix he has a chance to do it right and gain some credibility back with a clean win over Daniel Cormier.
In competitive sports where the upper hand can be obtained through deceit and tampering, MMA will only come under more scrutiny and investigation as it grows with time. Trying to gain legislation in New York is still a task at hand and with bigger names and more frequent tests coming in dirty, the sanctioning committees will do their best to make everyone accountable and an example for those trying to sneak by.
What do you think Fight Hub nation? Was Alistair Overeem a cheat all along? Who should fill in for the title shot if he is pulled?
