The USADA Era: PEDs & Legacy, It’s Your Decision
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Leading up to UFC 235, the narrative has not been around the athletes competing. It was centered around whether Jones is as good a fighter as his record implies. Why is that? Because of a failed performance enhancement drug (PED) test.
I want to look at this steroid conversation as it relates to a fighter’s legacy. The UFC was an organization that didn’t do steroid testing and allowed TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) at one point. As an MMA fan, I would hope that a fighter wouldn’t use PEDs. Using could possibly allow permanent injuries and the possibility to kill an opponent inside the Octagon. Needless to say, steroids, PEDs, TRT are shortcuts that allow a competitor to get a leg up on the competition.
UFC started out-of-competition drug testing on July 1, 2015 in conjunction with local athletic commissions. As a fan, I was happy to hear this. You should want all athletes to be clean and competing on equal grounds. The organization also banned TRT on this date.
So how should we look at fighters prior to July 1, 2015?
The is no doubt, UFC had some great fighters as most transitioned from Pride Fighting Championship. Fighters included Ken Shamrock, Vitor Belfort, Rampage Jackson, Randy Couture, Royce Gracie, Tito Ortiz and the world-renowned Chuck Liddell. Although these men set the groundwork for the UFC, do we question their legacy? Most of these guys fought when there was no drug testing and TRT was allowed, per a doctor’s review. I would say no we don’t, we just appreciate what they did for the sport.
Today’s athletes get looked at through a different scope now that USADA testing is conducted more often. The test can detect the most minute steroid use or steroid masking supplements. Once a fighter is “popped” he/she is labeled a cheater, whether it’s right or wrong. Once labeled a cheater, its badge of dishonor a fighter must wear throughout their career.
But, is this fair?
This is where I think we as fans go too far. If a fighter is around prior to USADA testing, should we condemn their record prior to testing? It depends if you like a fighter or not. When Cris Cyborg failed a drug test, most detractors were quick to say that’s why she was winning and was so dominant. What was the excuse after she served her suspension? Cris was just as dominant and became more of a fan favorite.
I have an answer, it goes back to my premise of depending on the fighter and if you like him/her. Sometimes fans overlook a failed test quickly. Other times the fighters never seemed to be able to get past it.
Let’s talk about, Jon “Bones” Jones. Jones tested positive for clomiphene and letrozole on June 16, 2016, prior to his fight with Daniel Cormier at UFC 200. He would end up serving a year ban. Fans gave him a pass as his skills in the octagon were simply second to none at this time. He had beaten Rampage Jackson, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Shogun Rua, Ryan Bader, Lyoto Machida and the unbeaten Daniel Cormier. He had become the youngest champion in UFC history and is one of the most dominant.
We shift forward to the night of July 29, 2017 after he had beaten Cormier again, this time via knockout. Hours after the fight, Jon tested positive for turinabol. So once again he had to go through the process of proving his innocence. As a fan, I felt he had to be the dumbest guy in the world.
Turinabol was found in several supplements by USADA. On September 18, 2017 Jones was suspended for eighteen months. This was despite USADA stating, “the violation was not intended nor could it have enhanced his performance.” Again, it’s up the public to form their own opinion of Jones. For those that like him, they would defend him and his legacy. For those that don’t, they will forever label him a cheater.
It’s Your Choice
We as fans have the right to believe what we want regardless of the facts presented to us. I think everyone agrees that PEDs are bad for the sport. But what makes us human is our opinions. Some of us choose to make opinions based on objectivity and others make opinions based on emotion and feelings.
PEDs and legacy can be tied together. But, that depends on if you like or dislike a fighter so it the end, it happens to be your personal decision.
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