Alistair Overeem Recieves Fight License from Nevada Commission to Compete at UFC 156

Alistair Overeem has been approved for his fight license in Nevada, making his bout with Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva at UFC 156 official.

Overeem appeared in front of the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Tuesday to seek approval following his nine-month de facto suspension following a drug test in 2012 that indicated a positive result for elevated levels of testosterone.

In April 2012 following the drug test result, Overeem was denied a license and given a nine-month waiting period before he could re-apply in the state of Nevada. That time period expired in late December, and on Tuesday he had his day in front of the commission.

According to Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer, in the last nine-plus months, Overeem has submitted a total of five drug tests of his own accord, all of which came back negative.

In addition, the commission tested Overeem randomly on Nov. 16 and Dec. 21, 2012, with those tests also returning negative results.

“I’m ready to get my life back on track,” said Overeem when speaking to the commission.

The hearing became a formality at that point with the commissioners asking Overeem if there was any advice he could offer them on their random drug testing policies following his experience with the process over the last year.

The commissioners then motioned for Overeem to receive his fight license. He received a unanimous approval from the panel.

Now Overeem’s focus can shift back to fighting, where he faces Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva on Feb. 2 in Las Vegas with a possible shot at UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez on the line.

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