Alistair Overeem Granted Conditional License, Further Drug and Steroid Testing Required
Despite rumors and speculation to the contrary, Alistair Overeem is still on track to fight Brock Lesnar at UFC 141, provided the fighter undergoes additional steroid and drug testing within the next 72 hours.
According to live updates from MMA Mania.com this afternoon, which documented a Nevada State Athletic Commission hearing today, the former Strikeforce champ has been granted a conditional license for his scheduled December 30th bout with Lesnar.
Due to the fact that Overeem has reportedly failed to present the NSAC with a drug test that matches the commission’s standards, the heavyweight now has 72 hours to do so. Overeem did submit a test on November 23rd that came back negative, however, the NSAC had apparently requested a urine sample rather than the blood sample that was given.
As part of Overeem’s conditional license, he will also be required to undergo testing when he returns to the U.S. from Holland for this month’s fight, and he will also face additional post-fight, random tests over the coming months.
Overeem was also reportedly tested in Holland on December 7th, however, the results of that test are not known yet.
According to the updates from the hearing, the NSAC criticized Overeem, his assistant and camp for not demonstrating more urgency in ensuring that the commission received the fighter’s required pre-fight drug tests.
Overeem reportedly cited his recent trip back to Holland–to help attend to his ill mother–and the difference in his native country’s testing procedures, as contributing factors in why there was a delay in submitting another sample.
The December 30th, UFC 141 card will be hosted by the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.