Barnett’s License to Mill

Don’t know how it happens, but it happens: in several instances of an athletic commission lobbying charges of performance-enhancement drug use, the fallout winds up being a less-than-professional pissing contest between the accused and his accusers.

Latest example: Josh Barnett, who tested positive for banned substances preceding a fight with Fedor Emelianenko over the summer and then postponed his appeal hearing four times. Barnett claims his legal corner did not receive requested documentation; the California State Athletic Commission’s George Dodd told MMAJunkie.com that missing an April 20 hearing (attempt number five) would “not bode well” for Barnett’s career.

The issue appears to be Barnett’s change of heart on an appeal: he said he might simply wait until his suspension is up in June to apply for a new license. (The license was never revoked, just not granted.) The CSAC, possibly antagonized by Barnett’s delays, doesn’t take the same optimistic attitude.

Barnett is certainly within his rights to review material being used to question his integrity prior to any hearing. It should also be simple enough for the commission to prove those documents were remitted. (The post office still offers delivery confirmation on important stuff; so does FedEx. It’s not rocket science.) While I don’t believe Barnett’s three career positive tests for illicit substances is a case of anything other than an athlete looking for an edge, he’s still entitled to respect. Making flippant, idle threats isn’t it.