UFC's Overeem denied license to fight in Nevada, will have to wait nine months
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem remains in limbo after the Nevada State Athletic Commission denied his request Tuesday for a license to fight in the wake of a failed drug test.
The commission told the American-based Dutch fighter he cannot reapply for another nine months, until Dec. 27.
Overeem's March drug test showed a 14-1 testosterone-epitestosterone ratio, according to the Nevada commission. Most people are a ratio of 1-1 although the commission allows for a ratio of 6-1. The World Anti-Doping Agency allows a 4-1 ratio.
WADA says an elevated T/E "may be an indicator of the use of a prohibited substance."
Since Overeem is currently without a license to fight — his last one expired at the end of 2011 — he had to appear before the Nevada commission to get a new one.
On Monday, Overeem issued a statement apologizing and blaming the failed test on a prescribed anti-inflammatory medication.
"I was completely unaware that testosterone was one of the ingredients in the medication," he said. "Although I was unaware, I do realize it is my job to know what I am putting into my body."
The UFC announced last Friday it had replaced Overeem with former champion Frank Mir in the UFC 146 main event against champion Junior Dos Santos.
The random test was conducted around a March 27 news conference in Las Vegas. Dos Santos and fellow heavyweights Mir, Cain Velasquez, Roy (Big Country) Nelson and Antonio (Bigfoot) Silva all passed their tests.
