NSAC tests six fighters in advance of UFC 146

In a surprise move, the Nevada State Athletic Commission today seized an opportunity to put its out-of-competition drug testing program to use following a pre-event press conference for UFC 146.

Six of the event's top billed fighters – Junior Dos Santos, Alistair Overeem, Cain Velasquez, Frank Mir, Roy Nelson and Antonio Silva – were summoned after the gathering to give urine samples that will be tested for drugs of abuse and performance-enhancers.

Results from those tests will be available in a week to two weeks, NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Today's test serves as one of two random drug tests required of Overeem as part of a conditional license granted for the event, which takes place May 26 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Its main card airs live on pay-per-view and preliminary-card fights air on FX.

Kizer said the NSAC rented a room nearby the MGM Grand Hotel and Resort's lobby where the presser was held, and there were no issues during the tests, which were conducted by a mobile drug testing service.

The NSAC instituted out-of-competition testing in 2008, though budget constraints left the commission without funds to utilize the program in fiscal year 2010-2011. This past July, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signed into law a bill to use a portion of gate proceeds from live events held in the state to make the tests, which cost around $200 each, possible.

The program ran into a snafu this past fall when Overeem was selected for out-of-competition testing in advance of his fight with Brock Lesnar at UFC 141. The No. 1 contender left the country for his home country of Holland on the same day as the request and didn't receive it until several days later. When he had his personal doctor conduct a test, it used blood and not urine as required by the commission. After an appearance via telephone before the commission, he had another test performed in the U.K. and was required to give two random drug tests as part of his conditional license.

The U.K. test turned up negative for performance-enhancers and drugs of abuse.

Only Silva previously has run afoul with commissions over banned substances. In 2008, the former Strikeforce fighter was suspended for one year and fined $2,500 after a post-fight drug test came back positive for Boldenone. His manager said the fighter used a supplement called Novodex to treat acromegaly, or "gigantism," that counteracted low testosterone levels caused by the condition. The CSAC denied his appeal, but Silva nonetheless fought during his suspension when he competed in 2009 in the now-defunct Japanese promotion Sengoku/World Victory Road.

Silva hasn't tested positive since.

Well fuck. This could end up hurting that awesome card. Lets hope all comes back clean.

would lol if one participant from each of the main 3 fights came back positive...then i would be bummed because it would destroy an awesome card.

Good thing Uber already knew he had random tests coming at some point

Hope these boys didnt fuck around as they were not prepared for this one.


Immediately after the presser wrapped, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) decided to drop by and surprise the six heavyweights in attendance -- Junior dos Santos, Alistair Overeem, Cain Velasquez, Frank Mir, Roy Nelson, Antonio Silva -- with an impromptu drug test.

mmamania

Nice!