UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem knows exactly why he failed an anti-doping test for anabolic steroids on March 27, 2012. Overeem explained his aberrant testosterone-epitestosterone ratio (T:E ratio) when he issued an official apology for the incident. But don’t be fooled. He’s not going to admit to knowingly and intentionally using performance-enhancing drugs. He blamed his doctor for prescribing a testosterone-based anti-inflammatory medication to treat an aggravated rib injury.
“Prior to the UFC 146 press conference in March, I aggravated an old rib injury on my left side,” said Overeem. “My doctor prescribed, and I accepted, an anti-inflammatory medication that was mixed with testosterone.”
The name of the medication purportedly prescribed to Overeem was not identified. However, there does not appear to be any test0sterone plus anti-inflammatory drug combinations that have been FDA-approved in the United States for the treatment of such injuries.
Overeem did not stop with simply providing an explanation of his positive steroid test result. He continued to loudly protest his innocence stating his categorical opposition to the use of anabolic steroids in athletes.
“I absolutely do not believe in, nor do I use performance-enhancing drugs,” claimed Overeem. “I am a clean fighter and I will do whatever it takes to prove this to everyone.”
Overeem’s T:E of 14:1 exceeded the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s (NSAC) cutoff of 6 to 1. He was scheduled to appear on the main card facing Junior Dos Santos at UFC 146 on May 26, 2012. Overeem withdrew his name and was officially replaced by Frank Mir.
Overeem’s unimaginative explanation of the positive steroid test result is unlikely to silence speculation that anabolic steroids have played a significant role in Overeem’s transformation from a 185 pound 17-year old to a 260 pound heavyweight mixed martial artist. The speculation only intensified when Overeem missed several scheduled steroid tests before fighting Brock Lesnar as the main event card of UFC 141.
While Chael Sonnen may still believe Overeem is innocent, Overeem’s steroid explanation has failed to satisfy his detractors.
Source:
McNeil, F. (April 23, 2012). Alistair Overeem apologizes. Retrieved from http://espn.go.com/mma/story/_/id/7845464/heavyweight-contender-alistair-overeem-apologizes-drug-test-results
