Dave Meltzer of WrestlingObserver.com offered the following comments today regarding possible difficulties Josh Barnett might have being cleared to compete on the October 21st PRIDE 32 “The Real Deal” show from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Josh Barnett is still also not officially cleared to face Pawel Nastula on Saturday. Barnett failed a steroid test in 2002 while fighting for UFC in a match where he defeated Randy Couture in Las Vegas. He needs to provide a clean test to be sanctioned. Barnett took a test in September in Newport Beach, but somehow his sample was lost (don't read into it that he failed and it disappeared because this story has been checked out and the sample really did disappear). He took a second test in Newport Beach on 10/7 and was told he would have the results by now. However, the lab still does not have the results. He then took another test today in Las Vegas with a rush put on it. This lab has assured Barnett and the commission that if Barnett is not clean, they will alert both tomorrow. Both labs have been told that if there is not confirmation of a clean test by 10 a.m. on Friday, then Barnett will not be allowed to fight.”
Regarding the current estimates for live attendance for the show, Meltzer wrote:
“The number of tickets sold as of this morning for the show was 10,000, so the show as far as live attendance is already a success.”
Our own Luis Cruz is leaving tomorrow to head to Las Vegas where he has media access and will be covering the show extensively throughout the entire weekend. Be sure to check back to MMANews.com frequently this weekend for exclusive coverage and updates from the site of PRIDE 32 “The Real Deal”. And don't forget to join us Saturday night for live play-by-play results coverage of the entire show as well.
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