Barely a week after its first contact, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has contacted the UFC about a second failed test by former heavyweight champion and WWE star Brock Lesnar.
Officials from the UFC were informed Tuesday that, in addition to his failed test June 28, Lesnar was flagged by USADA for the same, unidentified, banned substance in a screening conducted the night he fought Mark Hunt at UFC 200, July 9.
The currently unidentified substance is clomiphene, an anti-estrogen blocker, according to a report from ESPN’s MMA expert Brett Okamoto, citing a source.
Coincidentally, clomiphene is the same substance that was reportedly detected in Jon ‘Bones’ Jones system, forcing UFC President Dana White to pull Jones from his scheduled UFC light heavyweight title bout with Daniel Cormier at UFC 200.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Clomiphene, by itself, does not render performance-enhancing results, but when coupled with a testosterone, it helps prevent synthesis from testosterone to estrogen. It is listed as a banned substance because it is often use in conjunction with another performance-enhancing drug.
Jones vs. Cormier was supposed to be the headliner, but after Jones was pulled, Lesnar vs. Hunt was promoted to co-headline the event.
Lesnar defeated Hunt by unanimous decision at UFC 200, a result that will likely be changed to a no-contest in light of the news of the former Minnesota Viking’s positive tests.
But that isn’t enough for Hunt.
The loser of the July co-main event wants half of Lesnar’s purse for the bout, a figure estimated at around $2.5 million by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Hunt earned just $700,000 for the bout.
“The cheaters get a slap on the wrist and walk off,” Hunt told MMA Fighting. “What penalty or deterrent is there to make them think twice? Nothing. And the (Nevada Athletic Commission), why should these (expletive) get anything? They are not the ones who had to fight with Lesnar or lose. I lost.”
Weeks before the fight, Hunt told Fox Sports Australia that Lesnar looked “juiced to the gills.”
Like Jones, Lesnar will be afforded a full review process, which could include an appeal.
“It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full fair legal review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed,” UFC said in a statement. “The Nevada State Athletic Commission also retains jurisdiction over this matter as the sample collection was performed at UFC 200 in Las Vegas.”
Lesnar has faced vitriol and deeply-biting criticism on social media and throughout the rest of the sports landscape.
Once viewed a hero, Lesnar captured the UFC heavyweight title with a knockout victory over Randy Couture at UFC 91 in 2008. The championship win came in just the fourth MMA bout of his career.
Memes and other social media posts mocking Lesnar have spread all over social media, with most of the blowback centering around comments the WWE star made when asked if he was involved with any PEDs.
“I’m a white boy and I’m jacked,” Lesnar said. “Deal with it.”
The Atlanta Falcons announced Tuesday that rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. would start the team's…
In the midst of a 3-11 season with a rookie quarterback, first-year Patriots head coach…
The New York Giants will start quarterback Drew Lock in Week 16 against the Atlanta…
Former Lakers head coach Darvin Ham spoke out about his time with his old team,…
The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly activating wide receiver Hollywood Brown from injured reserve this…
The New York Mets signed righthanded pitcher Griffin Canning to a one-year, $4.25 million deal…