USADA didn't release the name of the substance that caused the positive test. The Nevada Athletic Commission will also have jurisdiction since the UFC 200 was held in Las Vegas. Lesnar will go through an adjudication process.
The fight was Lesnar's first since 2011. The UFC waived the four-month notice requirement fighters are required to give before coming out of retirement because Lesnar had not fought in five years. Lesnar was tested eight times in the four weeks leading to UFC 200.
Lesnar's return and win was a success for the company, which experienced turmoil leading up to its 200th PPV event. Fighter Jon Jones tested positive in another test, and was forced out of his fights against Daniel Cormier. UFC replaced Jones with Anderson Silva, who lost after less than a week's notice before the fight. The card was also plagued with injuries and was without UFC's two biggest stars and draws - Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey. McGregor bowed out of the card in a dispute over pay. His expected rematch with Nate Diaz - who beat McGregor handidly in a fight that saw the McGregor move up two weight classes - is now scheduled for UFC 202 after complaints about compensation for his ability to draw fans and viewers to shows.
Rousey hasn't fought since losing the women's bantamweight title last year to Holly Holm. Rousey has been busy with her acting career, filming three different movies as well as sitting out a medical suspension. The popular Rousey was the most popular women's athlete in the world, and the division has suffered without her consistency. The title changed hands in the last two title fights. Holm lost to Miesha Tate by a choke in her very first defense. Tate lost the belt in her first defense against Amanda Nunes.
Reports from WrestlingObserver.com said Lesnar had a guaranteed $2.5 million downside for the fight, as well as a cut of PPV buys. The website reported his payday could have reached $10 million. UFC's statement didn't mention if the positive test would mean Lesnar's payday would also take a hit. His opponent Mark Hunt responded angrily to the test report.
"The cheaters get a slap on the wrist and walk off," Hunt told MMA Fighting. "What penalty or deterrent is there to make them think twice?"
Hunt said the test result wasn't a surprise and he had told Fox Sports in Australia before the fight he believed Lesnar was doping. He demanded UFC give Lesnar half of his payday, or else release him from his contract. Hunt's last three opponents - Silva, Lesnar and Frank Mir - have tested positive following fights.
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