Mark Hunt Doesn’t Think Brock Lesnar’s UFC 200 USADA Exemption is Fair

Brock Lesnar is returning to the Octagon, despite a requirement that any retired fighter is supposed to notify the United Stated Anti-Doping Agency, which administers the UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy, at least four months prior to competition. That doesn’t sit well with Lesnar’s UFC 200 opponent Mark Hunt.

Lesnar was granted a special exemption from the four-month notification, which will allow him to compete on July 9. He will, however, be subject to random drug testing and the other USADA enforced regulations.

RELATED > Brock Lesnar Couldn’t Live with What Could Have Been, Will Fight Mark Hunt at UFC 200

“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,” read a UFC statement on the matter.

“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.”

Hunt told FOX Sports Australia, “I don’t think that’s fair. I think it’s load of (expletive). I think it’s rubbish. I don’t think anyone should be exempt from testing. If they’re trying to clean the sport up — mixed martial arts — this is a bad way to do it.”

Despite his objections to any exemptions given, Hunt doesn’t think that, come fight time, it will make much of a difference when he and Lesnar step into the cage.

“I don’t think it’s an even playing field, but it doesn’t mean you’re not going to get knocked out. Frank Mir was juicing and he got knocked out. The same thing’s going to happen with Brock Lesnar.”

Follow MMAWeekly.com on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram