UFC heavyweight Josh Barnett is one of the best fighters in the world, but has had a checkered past in terms of drug test failures. His original UFC run ended in 2002 after he tested positive for banned substances twice in a row in Nevada. Today, Barnett and his attorneys attended a Nevada State Athletic commission hearing in regards to licensing ahead of his UFC 168 bout with Travis Browne in Las Vegas. According to Zach Arnold of Fight Opinion, the commission made him take a drug test on October 15th, and grilled him regarding his past failures:
Josh Barnett & attorneys at NSAC meeting in Las Vegas. Discussion of Oct. 15th drug test.
— FightOpinion (@FightOpinion) October 31, 2013
NSAC lecturing Josh Barnett on past failed drug tests & damage done to fighters while he used steroids. Same NSAC gives testosterone slips.
— FightOpinion (@FightOpinion) October 31, 2013
Josh Barnett is not handling the questions very well from Bill Brady & co. at NSAC about his past drug test failures.
— FightOpinion (@FightOpinion) October 31, 2013
NSAC, Barnett having tit-for-tat over his issues regarding past supplement usage & steroid tests. Asked about his training routine.
— FightOpinion (@FightOpinion) October 31, 2013
Barnett, who hasn’t competed in Nevada since Pride 32 in 2006, then made a statement:
“I know I’ve made mistakes. I take responsibility for it, no matter what the case. I’m 35, I’m never going to ask for a Testosterone UE” JB
— FightOpinion (@FightOpinion) October 31, 2013
The MMA Report’s Jason Floyd also tweeted about about the meeting:
Commission ask UFC representative if they are willing to pay for random drug test for Barnett, which they say they will
— Jason Floyd (@Jason_Floyd) October 31, 2013
One of the commissioners asking that part of the license be random drug testing for Barnett in 2014
— Jason Floyd (@Jason_Floyd) October 31, 2013
FYI, random drug testing would be through WADA
— Jason Floyd (@Jason_Floyd) October 31, 2013
Barnett would become the first MMA fighter to take part in random WADA testing
— Jason Floyd (@Jason_Floyd) October 31, 2013
According to Arnold, the testing would cost the UFC 20,000 dollars. UFC rep Marc Ratner was at the hearing and agreed that the UFC would pay for the testing. This will include random testing leading up to UFC 168, and for the whole year of 2014.
@JoshGrossESPN Avansino wants at least 14 months worth of extra random drug testing for Barnett. “Big trouble” if UFC won’t pay bill.
— FightOpinion (@FightOpinion) October 31, 2013
NSAC asks Marc Ratner about testing Josh Barnett randomly (both WADA & NSAC standards). Ratner says UFC agrees to pay for all testing.
— FightOpinion (@FightOpinion) October 31, 2013
The commission then deliberated on the licensing, with only the commissioners being allowed to talk, not Barnett or his reps.
NSAC putting over Josh Barnett for being first UFC/MMA fighter who will undergo “enhanced” drug testing. Wants Barnett to be a good example
— FightOpinion (@FightOpinion) October 31, 2013
NSAC putting over Josh Barnett as contrite, honest, articulate, intelligent. Skip Avansino: “I tend to believe you.” Praises Barnett lawyer.
— FightOpinion (@FightOpinion) October 31, 2013
Eventually Barnett was granted his conditional license to fight at UFC 168 with the above conditions in place.
Josh Barnett granted conditional license w/ UFC paying WADA lab & NSAC tests through 2014. Unanimous approval. @jordanbreen
— FightOpinion (@FightOpinion) October 31, 2013
Before Barnett came in front of the commission, Chael Sonnen and Josh Koscheck were granted licenses for their UFC 167 fights.
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