UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem issued an apology to his fans on Monday for his failed drug test that lead to him being pulled from the main event at UFC 146.
Overeem was scheduled to fight Junior dos Santos for the UFC heavyweight title, but after failing a pre-fight drug screening for elevated levels of testosterone, the UFC replaced the Dutchman with former champion Frank Mir.
While most people have a testosterone-epitestosterone ratio of 1-1, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) allows for a ratio of 6-1 when testing athletes, while the World Anti-Doping Agency allows a 4-1 ratio. However, Overeem’s failed test showed a 14-1 ratio.
Currently, Overeem is without a fighting license and is scheduled to appear in front of the NSAC on Tuesday to get a new license.
“To my friends and fans, 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,” Overeem said in a release from Authentic Sports Management.
“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.”
Overeem — a former light-heavyweight who has bulked up over the last five years to become one of the bigger, most muscular heavyweights in mixed martial arts — has been suspected by some in the MMA community of cheating to achieve these results, but the 31-year-old has denied these allegations outright.
“I absolutely do not believe in, nor do I use performance-enhancing drugs,” Overeem said. “I am a clean fighter and I will do whatever it takes to prove this to everyone.”
The former Strikeforce, Dream and K-1 champion blamed his failed test on a medication he was prescribed in March.
“Prior to the UFC 146 press conference in March, I aggravated an old rib injury on my left side,” Overeem explained. “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.”
The random test was conducted following a March 27 press conference in Las Vegas to promote UFC 146. Dos Santos, Mir, Cain Velasquez, Roy Nelson and Antonio Silva were also tested and each passed their tests.
Overeem (36-11-1 NC) has gone unbeaten since September 2007 and earned wins over Brock Lesnar, Fabricio Werdum, Todd Duffee and Mark Hunt during that time.
