The lack of shock that accompanied news of Brock Lesnar being popped for an anti-doping violation is a sad indictment on a sport desperately trying to get its house in order.
The result of the UFC 200 co-main event may yet be overturned or declared ‘No Contest’ after Lesnar was flagged for an anti-doping violation by USADA last night.
Lesnar made a triumphant return to MMA and was reportedly paid $2.5m by the promotion for the privilege. That win could be stricken from the record and a sizeable chunk of the fight purse could be withheld, depending on USADA’s adjudication of the case.
Lesnar gave a short statement to the Associated Press, on Friday night, and provided copies of documents that show he passed his first three anti-doping tests after announcing his UFC return. He said:
“We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
Right now, the UFC will be hoping that Lesnar’s positive test will mark rock bottom and a turning point in their endeavours to clean up the sport.
The MMA world reacted with a mixture of dismay, anger and mirth as the news broke, last night:
https://twitter.com/Pendred/status/754095836917862400
You insecure bitches still testing positive for steroids ha??!!
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) July 16, 2016
Funny Brock pops, I am shocked 😉 @ufc @markhunt1974 #paid #bigboy #peds #noway https://t.co/iVELgQfTDp
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) July 15, 2016
This is funnier #promote #promote @UGK_MMA: @markhunt1974 @roynelsonmma @ufc Great job by the Prez pic.twitter.com/jUt2wgL4Aq
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) July 16, 2016
when they gonna realise that @usantidoping ain't playin?? technique > testosterone – trust your training guys, then its equal playing field.
— Coach JK (@John_Kavanagh) July 15, 2016
We will bring you more on the story as we have it.
