Zero Tolerance? Zero Chance. Want To Stop PED Abuse? The Bottom Line

By Raphael Garcia

We’ve seen careers and legacies such as those of Sean Sherk and Nick Diaz interrupted at their highest moment due to failing drug tests. Yet even though we see the effects that positive tests have on their careers, fighters are still getting “popped” for various reasons at an alarming rate. It is almost as if these fighters are more willing to ignore the potential penalties and take the chance at the advantages rather than complete clean with the tools they have worked for. So with a countless number of fighters being willing to do “whatever” it takes to win, it is now time for the promoters themselves to step in and punish these athletes in a way that will make them think twice before cheating.

Whether we like it or not, the discussion of performance enhancing drugs and their usage in mixed martial arts is not going away. As top athletes such as Alistair Overeem continue to find themselves standing in front of athletic commissions trying to explain away positive drug tests or elevated testosterone levels, the mixed martial arts media is left to debate how the sport should handle the situation. Instead of placing the onus on the athletic commissions, perhaps the event promoters themselves should step up and lead the charge to get PEDs out of MMA.

Right now the process flows something along these lines: An athlete is tested the day before his scheduled fight. He competes at the event, and then it is revealed to the world that the fighter failed the drug test for what could be any number of reasons. For this example let’s say the Nevada State Athletic Commission was the group over this event, so the fighter would have to appear in front of them on a set date for an official hearing. During the hearing the commission asks a range of questions to get an understanding of the athlete and what he or she took. After that point, the commission hands down a fine and/or suspension that the fighter must comply with before being able to apply for a license in that state again. Normally, other states follow suit and do not allow the fighter to obtain a license, but sometimes that is ignored.

For mixed martial arts to continue its push to be considered a “mainstream” sport, it needs to follow the lead of other major professional sports leagues. The NFL and MLB both have punishment scales used against athletes when they are caught using PEDs. For mixed martial arts, promoters can begin to do the same thing.

When a fighter is found guilty of using a banned substance, the promoter should have mandatory minimum penalties. For instance the first offense could be 60% of the fight purse and 9 month suspension. The second offense could be 90% of the purse and 12 months. The third offense could be 100% of the purse and a lifetime ban from the promotion. So if the athletic commission fines the fighter 20% of their fight purse for their first offense, the promoter would fine the remaining 40%. The whole goal would be for the promoter to deliver the message that being linked to steroid usage in any way should will not be accepted in any way shape or form.

Now some may wonder if this is even feasible, but that shouldn’t be the question. It’s becoming a must in the sport of mixed martial arts. These athletes are not signed to score touchdowns or hit home runs. They are contracted athletes who are meant to pummel each other or twist limbs while inside a ring or a cage. Using a “supplement” that will give you an unfair advantage over your opponent should be treated like an inexcusable offense.

These wouldn’t be arbitrary fines in which the money would fall into “slush fund” that wouldn’t be known to the public. Instead, those funds could be awarded to the opponent of the violating fighter, could fund additional testing by the promotion, or other needs that would have to be disclosed to the public.

Along with imposing fines and suspensions on top of those handed out by the athletic commission, promoters could act as the commission when they hold events in states or locations that do not have a governing body. Texas is one state that is often critiqued for not upholding the verdicts ordered by major commissions, and punishing athletes sternly in these locales will show a strong position against the use of PEDs. As the UFC continues to move into locations such as Brazil, that do not have their own athletic commissions to oversee these tests, the promoter could also work with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association to monitor the situation and administer tests. Quinton Jackson’s admission of using testosterone replacement therapy before his fight against Ryan Bader rose the specter of fighters using the treatment in foreign countries, when the same action in the United States without an acceptable exemption would be a cause for some form of punishment. Former BALCO leader Victor Conte has been leading the charge to bring the testing into mixed martial arts and combat sports as a whole, and working on a promoter level would be a great start to the growing epidemic.

Imagine the message that would be sent to fighters if the UFC doubled Overeem’s fine and suspension for his high testosterone levels before UFC 146. What would it say if he was cut from the organization entirely? Athletes would be well aware that if they are caught ignoring the rules behind PED usage, their careers and bank accounts would be affected in a major way. Instead of cutting fighters for missing weight, putting on “boring” fights, or even ill-advised Twitter messages, the organization can lead the way once again by taking a strict stance against illegal substance usage in the MMA. Not only would these athletes have to worry about the commission coming down on them; they would also have to be wary of their employers. Hopefully, the message that performance enhancing drugs are not welcome in mixed martial arts would then become loud and clear.