The UFC released a statement Tuesday on its official website with an update on superstar Brock Lesnar after he tested positive in an out-of-competition drug test prior to his unanimous-decision victory against Mark Hunt at UFC 200:
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.
The USADA has not announced which substance was allegedly found in Lesnar's system in both tests. But as Brian Campbell of ESPN.com noted on July 16: "What we do know is Lesnar wasn't flagged for recreational drugs, which USADA doesn't test for outside of competition, and his fate ultimately resides in the hands of both USADA and the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which oversaw the fight in Las Vegas."
Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times reported Lesnar tested positive for clomiphene:
Current interim UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones tested positive for the same substance in mid-June, per ESPN.com's Brett Okamoto.
Lesnar's return to the UFC was a bit controversial to begin with, as the organization exempted him from the four-month testing window that athletes are subjected to when they come out of retirement to fight, according to Yahoo Sports (via Okamoto).
The rules do state the "UFC may grant an exemption to the four-month written notice rule in exceptional circumstances or where the strict application of that rule would be manifestly unfair to an athlete," per Okamoto.
The UFC released a statement when it waived Lesnar's testing period, according to Okamoto, noting: "Lesnar last competed on December 30, 2011, long before the UFC anti-doping policy went into effect, for purposes of the anti-doping policy, he is being treated similarly to a new athlete coming into the organization."
The USADA tested Lesnar eight times between June 4 and his fight on July 9 at UFC 200, according to Campbell.
The fact that Lesnar failed two of his drug tests leaves his future both with the UFC and WWE—which held its draft Tuesday night—in question. Lesnar was selected No. 8 overall by Raw.
He is also scheduled to perform for WWE on August 21 at SummerSlam against Randy Orton.
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