UFC 141: Will Fans Ever Believe That Alistair Overeem is Drug Free?

Dutch heavyweight powerhouse Alistair Overeem, heads into UFC 141 consciously aware that no matter how many drug tests he undergoes and passes, his cynics will never be truly satiated.

The former Strikeforce, K-1 and Dream heavyweight champion was once a lean, sculptured 205-pounder.

That, however, changed when “The Demolition Man” went on a three-fight losing streak (Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Ricardo “The Brazilian Tiger” Arona and Antônio “Minotouro” Rogério Nogueira) and decided the best course of action would be to take a shot at the heavyweight assemblage.

Four months after his defeat at the hands of Shogun, The Reem entered the heavyweight fray; submitting Michael Knapp via guillotine choke.

Though he lost his next bout to Sergei “The Russian Mercenary” Kharitonov via KO in September of 2007, Overeem hasn’t tasted defeat since.

At present, he’s riding a 10-fight win streak with one NC to his name.

Save for his loss to Kharitonov and his most recent unanimous decision win against Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum, The Demolition Man has been on a near enough five-year wrecking spree—destroying everything in his path.

Therein lies the qualms—his naysayers have voiced their doubts as to how he could rise from a 205 frame, to gigantean of a heavyweight in such a short space of time.

Overeem’s recent failure to submit a urine sample on time to the NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission) ahead of his scheduled matchup with Brock Lesnar on Dec. 30, is bound to have raised a few eyebrows, and I’m sure hasn’t aided his cause, vis-à-vis those who believe his massive bulk is down to the use of AAS (anabolic-androgen steroids).

With that said, the elite striker believes that his frequent drug testing should go some way in satisfying his detractors.

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“Another positive is that I’m now the most tested fighter in the sport,” he wrote in a Yahoo Sports article. “I will be tested four times in three weeks, and then at least twice more in the next six months in addition to any testing for my next fight.”

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And if, however, that’s not enough to assuage his critics, Overeem believes it’s then out of his hands.

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“I have had people—I will politely call them ‘haters’—accuse me of taking steroids since I was a 185-pound kickboxer at the age of 17,” Overeem began. “When I was 20, I’ve fought at a weight of 222 lbs. I am now aged 31 and weigh 35 lbs more. I don’t think 35 lbs is too much to grow in 11 years from a 20-year-old to 31-year-old.”

“Facts are, I have been tested with the commission numerous times before when I fought in the U.S. and got tested in Japan. I always passed any testing, so hopefully now with these next tests coming and the fact of me being the most tested fighter in the sport, the critics may be satisfied. And if not, well, that’s not my problem, that is their problem,” Overeem said.

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Either way, The Reem is in a catch-22 situation—if he continues his ascendancy within the heavyweight ranks (in this instance the UFC), the stigma surrounding his muscle gain won’t be far behind.

On the other hand, if he loses, he’ll be labeled as never being that good in the first place.

Though there has never been any concrete evidence to suggest that Overeem has dabbled in steroids, the fans still have carte blanche to opine all they want with regards to whether he is indeed drug free or not—it’s their prerogative.

Still, win or lose, I doubt Overeem will ever be given a fair shake by the fans.

UFC 141 is set for Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Gardens Arena, Las Vegas, Nev.

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