The California State Athletic Commission has released a statement:
Barnett’s June 25 drug test came back positive for 2a-methyl-5a-androstan-3a-ol-17-one, an anabolic steroid. CSAC learned of the results July 21 and immediately denied a license for Barnett. CSAC also informed the promoter of Barnett’s August 1 bout against Fedor Emelianenko that the bout would not be approved.
“The license of Josh Barnett was denied pursuant to rule 303 of Title IV of the California Code of Regulations,” said CSAC Interim Executive Officer Dave Thornton. “That rule prohibits the use of certain substances, including anabolic agents, by any boxer or MMA fighte
Dave Meltzer reports:
Barnett said he wanted to keep quiet as he prepares an appeal, and had nothing negative to say about the testing procedure.
“It’s not a big conspiracy,” said Barnett, who had a previous positive banned substance test result on his record.
…
While denying using steroids, Barnett said he was not in the dark as to why he tested positive. “I have a pretty good idea,” he said. “I’m not really going to talk about it now.” Atencio said he believed the commission was waiting for the result of Barnett’s “B” sample to come back from the World Anti-Doping Agency lab at UCLA after the “A” sample came out positive before releasing a public statement. Potential punishment will not be determined until after the second sample is returned.
Correction: Zak Woods is reporting that the substance Barnett tested positive for is Drostanolone, NOT clostebol as previously reported.
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Luis Farias (916) 826-6069
July 22, 2009CALIFORNIA STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION DENIES LICENSE TO MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTER JOSH BARNETT
August 1 Scheduled Bout Against Fedor Emelianenko Not Approved
SACRAMENTO – The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has denied a license to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Josh Barnett after Barnett tested positive for a banned substance.
Barnett’s June 25 drug test came back positive for 2a-methyl-5a-androstan-3a-ol-17-one, an anabolic steroid. CSAC learned of the results July 21 and immediately denied a license for Barnett. CSAC also informed the promoter of Barnett’s August 1 bout against Fedor Emelianenko that the bout would not be approved.
“The license of Josh Barnett was denied pursuant to rule 303 of Title IV of the California Code of Regulations,” said CSAC Interim Executive Officer Dave Thornton. “That rule prohibits the use of certain substances, including anabolic agents, by any boxer or MMA fighter.”
Barnett’s test was observed in the presence of a CSAC representative and the sample was sent to the World Anti-doping Agency test facility at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on June 25 for processing. CSAC was notified of the results yesterday.
Barnett has the right to appeal the denial of his license.
“Our primary concern is for the health and safety of fighters,” said Thornton. “Anabolic agents and other banned substances put the users of those agents at risk, as well as their opponents. The commission simply will not tolerate their use.”
CSAC has among the toughest drug testing standards of any Athletic Commission in the country. It is the only commission that requires drug tests to be observed and in the presence of a commission representative prior to a bout.
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