The fighting world was absolutely hit with a bombshell last night/this morning when it was reported that USADA had informed WWE star Brock Lesnar that he had tested positive in an out of competition drugs test 11 days before his return to the octagon at UFC 200.
USADA apparently tested Lesnar eight times after he announced his UFC return, and the test in question happened on June 28th. Lesnar has been notified of a potential anti-doping violation and will await the results of his B sample before he receives a suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Lesnar was given a special waiver by USADA to compete at UFC 200 on such short notice - most fighters require at least four months notice to begin drug testing - a decision which his opponent Mark Hunt used as ammo, claiming Lesnar was 'juiced to the gills'.
The UFC released a statement after the result:
The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Brock Lesnar of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection on June 28, 2016. USADA received the testing results from the June 28, 2016 sample collection from the WADA-accredited UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory on the evening of July 14, 2016.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. 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. The Nevada State Athletic Commission also retains jurisdiction over this matter as the sample collection was performed in close proximity to Lesnar’s bout at UFC 200 in Las Vegas.
Consistent with all previous potential anti-doping violations, additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.
Of course, Lesnar's parent company isn't the UFC - so this would complicate things a bit. Lesnar is due to wrestle at Summerslam, and the WWE have also released a statement:
Brock Lesnar has not performed for WWE since WrestleMania and is not scheduled to return until Sunday, August 21.
