The California State Athletic Commission issued a statement Wednesday afternoon, confirming its reported decision not to sanction Josh Barnett for the August 1 bout against Fedor Emelianenko.
The Commission said Barnett’s June 25 drug test came back positive for 2a-methyl-5a-androstan-3a-ol-17-one, a metabolite of anabolic steroid Drostanolone (which trades under the name Masteron). Barnett retains the right to appeal the decision, but unless the positive test is overturned, he cannot be sanctioned to fight in the state of California (and that will not happen in time for August 1).
Affliction is now finalizing talks with potential replacement opponents for Emelianenko. The company’s Tom Atencio informed reporters on a conference call today that he was in discussions with three possible replacements (reportedly some combination of Brett Rogers, Bobby Lashley, Fabricio Werdum and Vitor Belfort), but with Strikeforce reportedly not giving Rogers and Werdum the go-ahead for the fight and Lashley claiming to have rejected a big money offer, it looks like Middleweight Vitor Belfort is the frontrunner.
The Statement:
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.