Alistair Overeem granted special license despite failing drug test – UFC News
The 31-year-old American mixed martial art (MMA) fighter, Alistair Overeem narrowly escaped from being expelled from the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) next event in which he would be making his debut. Overeem is set to
face Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on December 30, 2011.
According to reports, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) had a meeting regarding the future of Overeem. It has been reported that on December 12, 2011, the athletic commission gave Overeem a license to take part in UFC
141 after the MMA fighter had missed the drug test.The test was an in-training test which is mandatory for all fighters to pass in order to fight in future bouts. Such tests are a requirement as prescribed by the state. After reviewing Overeem’s record, the
Nevada State Athletic Commission granted Overeem with a special license. This licence will give the fighter a special permit to take part at UFC 141.
The state commission has ordered Overeem to pass a test in the next seventy-two hours. The commission said that Overeem would also have to pass a test before his bout at UFC 141. It was also decided that Overeem would have to undergo
a drug test in the near future as well, the time decided is nearly after six months of the UFC 141 event.
Overeem, who has a ten fight winning streak under his belt will be making his much anticipated UFC debut on December 30, 2011 when he would face Brock Lesnar in the heavyweight bout. The drug test was ordered by Keith Kizer, the
director of NSAC, who informed both Overeem and Lesnar that the fighters would be going under a steroid test. Lesnar followed the instructions but Overeem was not swift in taking action.
Upon coming short of the requirements to pass the test, the NSAC carried out a meeting to decide the future action, in which Overeem was given the special license. Overeem requested for a license from the NSAC only after the committee
decided to take action against him. According to Raymond Avansino, Jr, the chairman of the NSAC, “I don’t think it’s appropriate necessarily to deny his request for a license.” Overeem, justifying his action said, “I did not take any efforts to avoid any
testing. And furthermore, I have done exactly what I have been told to do by my assistants, who have been told what to do by Mr. Kizer.”
Tags: