News of Brock Lesnar's potential anti-doping test failure have sent shockwaves through the UFC.
"The Beast" defeated Mark Hunt at UFC 200 on July 9 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas by decision in his first fight since he briefly retired from the Octagon in 2011 due to a bout with diverticulitis.
In the wake of Lesnar's win, it has been discovered that the USDA has notified him of a potential anti-doping violation for a drug test he took on June 28. The results didn't get back until July 14, which explains why the former WWE and UFC heavyweight champion was able to face Hunt on July 9.
If it turns out Lesnar did test positive for a banned substance, he could get fined $1.25 to $1.875 million by the Nevada State Athletic Commission because NSAC guidelines dictate that a fighter could be fined up to 50 or 75 percent of their purse for such violations if they pertain to steroids, according to Wrestlingheadlines.com.
Lesnar took home $2.5 million for his fight with Hunt and the fine may be lower if it is deemed he took the drug that caused him to fail by accident. The UFC star may face a suspension for up to two years as well, while the USDA may go after his pay-per-view money over the scandal.
The UFC released a public statement after the Lesnar news came to light:
"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."
Lesnar's test has only been flagged, so it may take some time before it's determined whether or not he did in fact test positive for a banned substance.
"The Beast" is set to return to the WWE for its SummerSlam event on Aug. 21 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where he will battle Randy Orton. The match was advertised for the WWE at UFC 200 in part of their cross-promotion deal.
The WWE has also made a statement about Lesnar, distancing itself from the failed test since hie last worked for them at WrestleMania 32 on April 3.
"Brock Lesnar has not performed for WWE since WrestleMania and is not scheduled to return until Sunday, Aug. 21."
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