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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
The Nevada State Athletic Commission has summoned Alistair Overeem to their next meeting on April 24. The current #1 contender in the UFC's heavyweight division tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone-to-epitestosterone at a ratio of 14:1 in a random test administered last week, and the NSAC will ask him to address that failed test at the meeting.
Overeem's shot at the UFC Heavyweight Championship against Junior dos Santos is in jeopardy, as the elevated levels are expected to lead to a license denial by the NSAC. He can still request the testing of his "B" sample, but time is running out on that option as the sample will degrade.
The dos Santos bout was set for UFC 146 on May 26 in Las Vegas, and the random drug tests were administered to six of that event's competitors following a press conference for the event.
The UFC hasn't made any moves just yet, but one thing is certain: dos Santos will defend his title in Las Vegas on May 26. UFC President Dana White made it clear on Thursday in comments made to the Associated Press, and regardless of what happens with Overeem and the NSAC, dos Santos will remain on top of this card.
Penick's Analysis: No one expected the UFC to remove dos Santos from the card, and in fact a number of names have been popping up to face him in the days since Overeem's positive test was revealed. It appears the UFC may be allowing Overeem's issue to play out through this April 24 meeting, with a determination to be made on a replacement in the meantime. I'd expect Frank Mir to get the nod, but the UFC may decide to go another route.
[Alistair Overeem art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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