Ultimately Fighting PED’S

By sjackson
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Updated: February 18, 2015

Even as i sit to write this,the hot topic in MMA isn’t a big fight, instead its fighters failing drug tests. Fighters on all levels from rookies to already established super stars. Every one is looking for that edge.

Lets take a look at “standardized drug testing.” Standard drug testing in most states consist of 2 pre-fight and 1 post-fight test. Most tests are urine tests where they are looking for PED’S like Hgh and TRT and other types of steroids. Synthetic steroids can also be found when a C.I.R. or carbon isotope ratio’ test is used. Some consider it the most effective manor of testing for synthetics, but most commissions do not use those tests. The V.A.D.A is the current leader in drug testing.The V.A.D.A and Dr Goodman state that most commissions testing is insufficient and unorganized. They can say this because they set the bench mark in the industry.

Several fighters have volunteered for V.A.D.A testing. With no less then 45 failed drug tests in the UFC since 2002. Although that number for long of a time frame does not seem extreme, recently, failed drug tests seem to be on the rise. The punishments for a failed drug test can range in fines from $2500 to $50000 and suspensions from 6 months to a year. Also if a fighter is in possession of a title when they test positive, they are stripped of that title. But as a hard core fan i believe these punishments may not be enough of a deterrent to stop the cheating.

On Tuesday ESPN.com reporter Brett Okamoto confirmed that former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva failed a second drug test administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Silva tested positive for the steroid drostanolone — the same banned substance he tested positive for during an out-of-competition test taken on Jan. 9. Silva also tested positive for anti-anxiety medication Oxazepam and Temazepam, which is used to treat sleep deprivation. In total, Silva (34-6) submitted to three NSAC tests. He tested positive for drostanolone and androstane on Jan. 9. He then provided a clean sample on Jan. 19 followed by a second failed test on Jan. 31.

Silva, who had never tested positive for a banned substance, initially faced a nine-month suspension for his first offense. Bennett did not know whether the commission would increase that length because of a second failed test. The NSAC temporarily suspended Silva on Tuesday. A disciplinary hearing, which Silva would be required to attend, likely will be scheduled in March. The NSAC will determine whether to change the result of the fight to a no-contest at a later date, most likely during Silva’s disciplinary hearing.

This may be the hurt business but the only ones getting hurt are us the fans! In conclusion I guess I only have a couple of questions; “What sanctions can the UFC punish their fighters with that will make their fighters think twice about using performance enhancing drugs? and “When is it going to stop!”