USADA Has Officially Terminated The Brock Lesnar Experiment
Looks like it’s going to be another crazy week in the MMA world, and for very similar reasons to the days leading up to UFC 200. This time, instead of Jon Jones’ ongoing drama, we are force fed the news that Brock Lesnar has also failed a drug test. USADA (United States Anti Doping Agency) has caught another UFC superstar, and again UFC 200 has its aura damaged in the wake of a less-than-thrilling event. The questions brought to light by the second failed drug test announcement in as many weeks are many and deep.
Did the UFC know about Lesnar’s failed drug test before he competed? It’s a question that’s worth considering, but remember Jones’ failed test was not announced until three days out from UFC 200, and his happened on June 16. Seeing as Lesnar’s failed violation was on June 28, the timelines would seem to match roughly. If anything, it took USADA longer to announce ‘Bones’ had flunked the screen.
What does this mean for the future of the UFC? After officially changing ownership, the second high-profile drug bust in a fortnight is anything but good. It’s almost ironic that the historic pay-per-view that was meant to celebrate a milestone in the promotion’s history and replicate the glory of UFC 100 has now ended up making quite the mockery of the lead protagonists in this ongoing story.
One thing we do know now, whether this seems premature or not, is that USADA has most likely ended the Brock Lesnar experiment in the UFC. It started way back in 2008 when the WWE superstar crossed over to mixed martial arts to face Frank Mir in just his second pro fight. Mir would submit Lesnar with a kneebar in one round at UFC 81, setting up their rematch at UFC 100.
After running through Heath Herring, Lesnar would face the legend Randy Couture at UFC 91. This was his defining moment and he grabbed the bull by the horns.
Lesnar was crowned the UFC heavyweight champion, and his revenge over Mir at UFC 100 went down in history as one of the most popular moments in the sport’s history. His UFC 116 victory over Shane Carwin would lead to horrific beatings in TKO losses against Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem. We thought the Mexican and Dutchman had ended the experiment, but little did we know, they’d just forced a break.
When Lesnar’s return was announced out of the blue on June 4, during the UFC 199 broadcast the media storm around the larger-than-life pro wrestler started over anew.
”The Beast’s’ return at UFC 200 on July 9 with Mark Hunt as the confirmed opponent, ‘what a challenge!’ we thought. How would ‘The Beast’ deal with such a heavy hitter. Unfortunately he’s clearly gone to illegal means to do so, and now his unanimous decision win over ‘The Super Samoan’ that night has lost all legitimacy.
Perhaps we should have seen it all along, maybe the USADA waiver of the four-month testing period prior to his rejoining was just a coincidence, but surely his massively ripped physique was a clear sign? Of course, that’s not to say he hadn’t worked really hard, and without knowing further details on his failed out of competition test it’s hard to speculate on exactly what’s happened here. Again, the only thing we know for sure is that Lesnar is done fighting, at least for now.
Potential outcomes for Lesnar could include a two-year mandatory ban, a hefty fine or the overturning of his result against Hunt. In terms of his rumored title run, that’s over, as the new age of MMA drug testing claims its biggest (in all senses) victim to date.
For those thinking Lesnar would ride off in to the sunset after a fairy tale win, think again, because we’ve learned time and time again in the past, what seems too good to be true probably is just that.
