Alistair Overeem tests positive for elevated testosterone levels, UFC 146 title fight with Junior dos Santos in trouble

Uh-oh.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) surprised six heavyweight competitors set to throw down at UFC 146 at a press conference recently with drug tests. And Alistair Overeem, who is scheduled to square off against Junior dos Santos for the heavyweight championship, was one of them. Unfortunately, he tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone.

NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer sent out the results in an e-mail to MMAmania.com:

The following athletes were tested on March 27: Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Frank Mir, Cain Velasquez, Roy Nelson and Antonio Silva. All test results were negative, except Mr. Overeem tested positive for an increased T/E ratio (> 10). Mr. Overeem will need to appear before the Commission if he seeks licensure.

Confused on this whole "elevated testosterone levels" and T/E ratio business? We don't blame you. Here's an explanation to help understand exactly what's going on here:

Here's a snip from an article at isteroids.com on the significance of T/E ratio in steroids use:

T/E Ratio stands for testosterone / epitestosterone ratio. It is used to determine the relative proportion of testosterone and epitestosterone. The normal level is set at a 1:1 ratio.

T/E ratio is an important indicator of any pathological condition or external administration of any synthetic hormones. It is done by measuring the levels of testosterone glucuronide (TG) and epitestosterone glucuronide (EG) in the urine. If testosterone levels increases, TG also increases. EG, on the other hand, remains unaffected even with increase testosterone metabolism.

In short: normal levels are 1:1. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) allows for up to 4:1. Nevada allows up to 6:1. Overeem? His result showed levels greater than 10:1.

I'm no mathematics wizard but me thinks there's an issue here, teach.

This doesn't bode well for "The Reem's" future, as he was already the centerpiece of a drug test fiasco prior to UFC 141 in which he was given a conditional license to fight, but had to follow strict guidelines handed down by the NSAC. Ultimately, "Demolition Man" passed all testing and went on to defeat Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 late last year via technical knockout.

One of the conditions of his temporary license was that he would be subject to random testing even after the Lesnar fight. And -- surprise -- he's popped positive.

Now, UFC President Dana White is likely going to have to find a credible heavyweight to take Overeem's place against Dos Santos in the main event of UFC 146, which is just over one month away in Las Vegas, Nevada, over the Memorial Day weekend.

Who will it be? Frank Mir, perhaps? A Cain Velasquez rematch? Any ideas, Maniacs?

In the meantime, stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on this story as it develops.