Alistair Overeem and the Never Ending Steroid Question

By Micah Stoll

On December 30th Alistair Overeem is scheduled to meet Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 in a number one contenders match. The Nevada State Athletic Commission required a prefight drug test of Overeem to be taken November 17th.

However, on that date Overeem returned to Holland to care for his sick mother. Overeem blames the misunderstanding on poor communication between the NSAC and his assistant.

On December 7th, Overeem gave blood to be tested for illegal substances. The problem is that he was suppose to provide a urine sample and the doctor administering the test was Overeem's personal doctor. The integrity of this test is easily, and rightfully, questioned.

Despite these issues, NSAC issued Overeem a license to fight at UFC 141, with provisions.

1) The December 7th drug test has to come back negative of any illegal substances.

2) Overeem was forced to take another drug test within 72 hours of the 12-7 test. This one in       London, and given by doctors arranged by the UFC.

3) Overeem must take a drug test once he returns to the US.

4) 2 more tests will be randomly given within 6 months of his December 30th fight.

Any failed test could result in a decision being overturned and his license being revoked by the NSAC.

Overeem would also face almost certain expulsion from the UFC. Other fighters have tested positive for illegal substance and been welcomed back after completing their suspension, but Overeem may have a shorter leash than others.

"I'll be tested four times in three weeks this month, so after this, there can not be any more doubts," claimed Overeem.

"I've fought in the States before and every time I got tested, I've never tested positive," protested Overeem. "I don't know where all the speculation about steroid use is coming from."

Despite the speculation and accusations, Overeem has never failed a drug test. Critics would point out that Overeem has spent a majority of his career fighting in organizations that did night require their fighters to be drug tested.

That is just part of the reason why fighters such as Junior dos Santos, Gilbert Yvel and Fedor Emelianenko have been quoted in interviews claiming Overeem's muscle gains are not natural.

Fedor and M1 have accused Overeem of cheating for years and refused to fight him unless strict drug testing was agreed upon. Fedor's manager, Vadim Finkelstein, called Overeem a "steroid bully."

Overeem chalked up Fedor's refusal to fight him as being scared to take a match against the feared striker.

There has been no tangible evidence to prove Overeem has used any type of steroid or illegal growth hormone, but he does not pass the eye test. Overeem started competing in MMA in his early twenties and is now thirty-one years old.

When Overeem began fighting he competed in the 205 pound division. He claims to have had to cut weight and it was physically draining.

In 2007 Overeem fought for the Strikeforce heavyweight title at 224 pounds.

Now, as advertised on the UFC 141 promotional poster, Overeem will be fighting Lesnar at 256 pounds.

That means he has added 40-50 pounds of muscle to his frame. Overeem contributes the gains to weight lifting, horse meat (high in protein) and claims that once he stopped cutting down to 205 his body has allowed his muscles to fully grow.

I would like to believe Overeem. I want it to be true that hard work and a strict diet would transform my body. 

As a little kid, the Hulkster told me that saying my prayers and taking my vitamins would make me big and strong. I later found out that Hulk Hogan, and many other WWF wrestlers, had abused steroids for years.

In college I fell for it again. I am a huge Chicago Cubs fan and I watched almost every game during the 1998 season. Sammy Sosa, like Overeem, went from long and rangy to having muscles on top of muscles.

During that summer, Sosa not only hit 66 home runs, but had one of the best statistical seasons ever leading the Cubs into the playoffs.

It seemed as if every game Sosa hit a home run or supplied a big hit when the Cubs needed one. However, in the years following we learned that Sosa failed a 2003 drug test, was found with a corked bat and was one of the poster boys of the 'steroid era'.

I bought in and got fooled in the past.

I know there are no positive drug tests to point to, but the eye test also does not lie. The physical transformation Overeem has gone through is unlike any other in the short history of MMA.

I hope Overeem is clean of any illegal substances and the integrity of his upcoming bout with Lesnar is indisputable. Unfortunately, Overeem has failed the eye test, and in the court of public opinion he has already been found guilty.