UFC was informed on Thursday that WWE star Brock Lesnar failed an out-of-competition USADA (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) test stemming from a collection taken on June 28.
According to the USADA website, Lesnar has been tested for a total of eight times since announcing his intentions to return to the UFC. Lesnar was victorious over Mark Hunt last weekend in Las Vegas at UFC 200 in his first MMA fight in over five years.
The UFC issued the following statement on Friday evening.
“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Brock Lesnar of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection on June 28, 2016. USADA received the testing results from the June 28, 2016 sample collection from the WADA-accredited UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory on the evening of July 14, 2016.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full fair legal review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. The Nevada State Athletic Commission also retains jurisdiction over this matter as the sample collection was performed in close proximity to Lesnar’s bout at UFC 200 in Las Vegas.
Consistent with all previous potential anti-doping violations, additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
Brett Okamota was quick to point out on Twitter that Lesnar was the first retired athlete to receive an exemption from UFC to skip the mandatory four month drug testing window.
Remember, Lesnar was first retired athlete to receive an exemption from UFC to skip a mandatory 4-month drug testing window ahead of fight.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 15, 2016
No word at this time if WWE will take any action against Lesnar.