Lesnar’s in-competition drug sample flagged by USADA

The UFC was notified on Tuesday by USADA that Brock Lesnar failed an in-competition drug test at UFC 200.  The news comes on last Friday’s news that Lesnar had failed an out-of-competition test.

Lesnar has been tested 8 times by USADA since the announcement in early June that he would be returning to the Octagon at UFC 200.

The UFC Statement on Brock Lesnar on its web site reads:

“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Brock Lesnar that his in-competition sample collection from July 9, 2016, at UFC 200, has tested positive for the same substance as his previously announced out-of-competition collection on June 28, 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 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.”

Per the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, below is the definition of In-Competition:

In-Competition: “In-Competition” means the period commencing six hours prior to the commencement of the scheduled weigh-in and ending six hours after the conclusion of the Bout.

Payout Perspective:

The news of his in-competition drug test failure almost confirms that Lesnar was taking a banned substance and/or was cycling off of it in lead-up to his fight with Mark Hunt.  The news is bad PR for the UFC and the WWE.  While both organizations will move on, Lesnar’s drug test failure will foreclose his MMA career and will call into question its own drug testing policy.