UFC
UFC 146: Alistair Overeem's T/E ratio at 14:1, more than double NSAC's allowable limit
Apr 5, 2012 - 9:15:54 PM UFC 146: Alistair Overeem's T/E ratio at 14:1, more than double NSAC's allowable limit

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

When news broke of Alistair Overeem's positive test for an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio on Wednesday, it was only known that the number was greater than 10:1. Now, the actual number has come down from the lab, and Overeem's T/E ratio tested at 14:1.

For comparison's sake, the allowable by the World Anti-Doping Agency is 4:1, with anything over registering as a positive test. The Nevada State Athletic Commission allows for a slightly higher mark at 6:1. Regardless, Overeem was well over either of those marks.

As of last night his camp had not yet requested the testing of his "B" sample, given at the same time as this sample that was flagged following a UFC 146 press conference in Las Vegas last week. NSAC executive director Keith Kizer told MMATorch that nothing has changed on that front, and at the time of this writing Overeem's camp has still not yet contacted them about testing that second sample.

Penick's Analysis: Overeem's only saving grace here will be if the first sample somehow got tainted in the lab. That's why the B sample needs to be tested. However, if both samples show the same 14:1 T/E ratio it's nearly impossible for there to be another explanation outside of the use of some type of performance enhancer. This is a similar situation as Chael Sonnen back in 2010, where his T/E ratio was 16.9:1, except Overeem can't fall back on the TRT claim. At that time, Sonnen's argument was "yes, I was taking synthetic testosterone, but it was medically prescribed as treatment for hypogonadism." Considering Overeem's long held stance that he hasn't taken PEDs, and the fact that he did not attempt to get a therapeutic use exemption for TRT previously, that's not something he's going to be arguing. He's in a really bad spot here, and this number looks even worse than simply seeing "more than 10:1."

[Alistair Overeem art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]