Kemo
12-12-2018, 10:00 PM
A lot of eyebrows were raised when Brock Lesnar’s UFC drug testing numbers were tampered with recently. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) website updated their testing numbers in mid-October, showing Lesnar had now been tested six times. However, recently, that number was dropped back down to five. Many fans immediately raised red flags and begun throwing out conspiracy theories.
Now, USADA has issued an official statement on the matter. It turns out, a “technical glitch” was to blame for the confusion. The number currently reflected on the site (five) is deemed to be accurate (via ESPN):
“USADA updates the Athlete Test History page of the UFC/USADA website on a weekly basis. During an update on the week of October 15th, we experienced a technical issue that resulted in the information on the page being displayed incorrectly.
“The correct test history for the athlete is one test [that week], not two. The issue has been fixed and the testing numbers on the website are all accurate. We are still investigating the specific technical issue that led to the error.”
In response, UFC Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance, Jeff Novitzky, also issued a statement on behalf of the promotion. Novitzky noted that he and the promotion don’t seem to be overly concerned with the issue:
“I have access to a more specific database than the public, which displays the date a sample is collected, what type of sample it is and what the results are as soon as they are available,” Novitzky said.
“The public website, as I understand it, indicated there had been two tests during this last quarter, and it recently dropped to one. I have always seen one test in this quarter for Lesnar. It was a urine test and it came back negative.”
One reason fans have taken issue with the recent “glitch” is because Lesnar has a history of failed drug tests. Back in 2016 after his fight with Mark Hunt at UFC 200, Lesnar delivered a failed drug test. The 41-year-old returned to the MMA scene over the summer when he confronted Daniel Cormier after his heavyweight title win. UFC President Dana White has said he plans to book Cormier vs. Lesnar for the heavyweight title in the first quarter of 2019.
Before that can happen, Lesnar must fulfill his suspension stemming from his 2016 failed test. He will be eligible to return on or after the Jan. 8, 2019 date.
Now, USADA has issued an official statement on the matter. It turns out, a “technical glitch” was to blame for the confusion. The number currently reflected on the site (five) is deemed to be accurate (via ESPN):
“USADA updates the Athlete Test History page of the UFC/USADA website on a weekly basis. During an update on the week of October 15th, we experienced a technical issue that resulted in the information on the page being displayed incorrectly.
“The correct test history for the athlete is one test [that week], not two. The issue has been fixed and the testing numbers on the website are all accurate. We are still investigating the specific technical issue that led to the error.”
In response, UFC Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance, Jeff Novitzky, also issued a statement on behalf of the promotion. Novitzky noted that he and the promotion don’t seem to be overly concerned with the issue:
“I have access to a more specific database than the public, which displays the date a sample is collected, what type of sample it is and what the results are as soon as they are available,” Novitzky said.
“The public website, as I understand it, indicated there had been two tests during this last quarter, and it recently dropped to one. I have always seen one test in this quarter for Lesnar. It was a urine test and it came back negative.”
One reason fans have taken issue with the recent “glitch” is because Lesnar has a history of failed drug tests. Back in 2016 after his fight with Mark Hunt at UFC 200, Lesnar delivered a failed drug test. The 41-year-old returned to the MMA scene over the summer when he confronted Daniel Cormier after his heavyweight title win. UFC President Dana White has said he plans to book Cormier vs. Lesnar for the heavyweight title in the first quarter of 2019.
Before that can happen, Lesnar must fulfill his suspension stemming from his 2016 failed test. He will be eligible to return on or after the Jan. 8, 2019 date.