Brock Lesnar Receives USADA Exemption For UFC 200
Former WWE, NCAA, UFC and IWGP Champion Brock Lesnar has received a USADA exemption to compete at next month's UFC 200 event, according to Sherdog. Traditionally competitors must provide written notice of their intent or desire to come out of retirement four months ahead of time, as well as making themselves available for random testing.
You can see the UFC's statement on the exemption below.
"On June 6, 2016, UFC heavyweight Brock Lesnar was registered by USADA into the UFC Anti-Doping Policy testing pool. As part of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, UFC may grant a former athlete an exemption to the four-month written notice rules in exceptional circumstances or where the strict application of that rule would be manifestly unfair to an athlete. Given Lesnar last competed in UFC on December 30, 2011, long before the UFC Anti-Doping Policy went into effect, for purposes of the Anti-Doping Policy, he is being treated similarly to a new athlete coming into the organization.
"While conversations with the heavyweight have been ongoing for some time, Lesnar required permission from WWE to compete in UFC 200 and only agreed to terms and signed a bout agreement last Friday. He was therefore unable to officially start the Anti-Doping Policy process any earlier. UFC, however, did notify Lesnar in the early stages of discussions that if he were to sign with the UFC, he would be subject to all of the anti-doping rules. Lesnar and his management have now been formally educated by USADA on the policy, procedures and expectations."
Lesnar will take on #8-ranked Mark Hunt on Saturday, July 9 at UFC 200.