UFC
UFC Heavyweight Alistair Overeem: "I want to show the world that I am a clean fighter"
Jun 27, 2012 - 7:30:31 PM UFC Heavyweight Alistair Overeem: "I want to show the world that I am a clean fighter"

DISCUSS ALL THIS IN OUR NEW MMATORCH FORUM

...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Since testing positive for an elevated testosterone to epitestosterone ratio back in March, UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem has remained mostly silent, outside of his hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

At that licensing hearing, Overeem's explanation for the presence of synthetic testosterone in his system was that he was given a mixture of drugs by his doctor to treat an injury. Unbeknownst to him, Overeem claimed, the mixture contained testosterone. His license was denied, though they reduced the amount of time he needed to wait before reapplying for a license.

Overeem continues to maintain that he's a clean fighter, and in an interview on Tuesday's edition of UFC Tonight, Overeem commented on a number of subjects surrounding his positive test, his elevated testosterone ratio, and more.

"Well, I'm back and the question is: why was I quiet? When I had the positive test results, I didn't even know what that was and I didn't want to talk about something I didn't know about. So we sat back and researched the whole topic," Overeem explained. "The positive test came as a surprise to me and everyone, and by the time we researched it, we figured we would just explain the situation in front of the commission. When you try to answer the media about something you don't know, I don't think it is the right thing to do."

"Like I explained in front of the commission, the spike was due to medication that I received from a licensed doctor to help my injury. I did it. I took responsibility and stepped away from the title fight. And now, I am doing random testing with the commission to prove I am a legit fighter.”

This so-called "random testing" Overeem spoke of is a self administered series of tests while he's waiting on the sidelines for nine months. Though he has already received criticism for doing a "random" test on his own, he says it's going to be an ongoing series of tests to show prove that he's got nothing to hide.

"I want to show the world that I am a clean fighter," he said. "One test doesn't say anything. But if you do the test every three to four weeks, than you prove to people that you are clean. You are being observed, and it is by different people who I don't know every time, so there is no foul play. I am hoping that I can prove to the world that I am a clean fighter. I am also doing this for myself, my fans, and the commission to show that I am a clean fighter and ready to come back and fight for a title in the UFC."

Overeem has also received heavy criticism from UFC President Dana White, who was incensed with the positive test after Overeem assured him to his face that he wouldn't fail any tests. Overeem said he hasn't yet talked to White, but hopes to prove to him and the fans that he is being honest.

"I have not spoken to Dana personally," Overeem said. "But he is a busy man, has a company to run and fans to take care of. I respect Dana and I want to convince Dana through my actions that I am a legit fighter and through tests... [The only way to convince anyone is] by doing these tests. What else can you do? I will be doing any tests that are requested of me at any time."

Penick's Analysis: Overeem can test himself every other day at this point and it's not going to change the opinions of some. Considering the questions that surrounded his massive size gain as he moved into the heavyweight division, the fact that he had synthetic testosterone in his system in March was enough to condemn him for many skeptics. It's going to be hard for anyone to take his word at face value with how this situation went down. For a fighter who has been so adamant that he knows what's going into his body to not know what was going into his body was a laughable excuse, and when the doctor in question had as shady a past as his doctor did, it didn't make for a believable story. He can pass all the tests he wants in this next year, all that will say to some is that he's off of whatever he was on before. He'll try to move past it, and provided he doesn't fail another test the UFC will still book him in major fights, and likely will still give him a title run, but this is going to remain a stain on him for a long time to come.

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