In a way, USADA hurting MMA as much as it’s helping.
Yeah, that title does sound pretty provocative, the reality us that it’s a statement that may be true. Mixed martial arts is no longer just an underground event featuring men willing to bash each others brains in. Now it’s a legitimized sport with rules, regulations, and a ton of different stipulation that ensure fighter safety and give everyone a fair playing field to compete on. It’s true the sport needs to be cleaned up, but have we ever took a minute to consider the possibility that all these regulations and newly constructed stipulations ruining potential dream matches? Don’t get me wrong, a clean sport is the best thing for the sport especially if we want everyone competing as equals. Cheating is the last thing that should be condoned in any sport. The problem with that notion is that matches are being scrapped left and right. Recently BJ Penn was removed from UFC 199 for violating USADA stipulations. Apparently Penn was utilizing IV’s throughout his training camp misunderstanding the USADA restrictions. IV’s are banned because though it may offer re-hydration, the plastics that can be transferred to the fighter can be filled with performance enhancing byproducts. But some fighters like Penn may have thought the IV ban was strictly for re-hydration after a weight cut. But Penn isn’t the first to be effected by the USADA. Many fighters have been popped for banned substances on the USADA’s constructed list. The list is constantly being updated and for fighters who are seeking to get proper recovery after every hard training session, it’s hard to know which supplements can be taken versus what is on the banned substance list. It’s not an excuse, but it does add an extra layer of difficulty to proceedings. Cheating is something that needs to be cleaned up in the sport, but you can’t deny that the idea of watching a TRT infused Vitor Belfort face off against Chris Weidman or Luke Rockhold wouldn’t have been a sight to behold. Now that Vitor is off the banned substance his performances have been flat and uninspired. Belfort has literally deflated, but at least the playing field is fair. Then you have BJ Penn whose much anticipated return to action has now been canceled due to his own ignorance. It may be the rules but it doesn’t mean it’s not a major buzz kill. Like I said before, cheating shouldn’t be condoned and the sport should be cleaned up. It’s just unfortunate that the cost of that notion is missing out on what could be some great and memorable match ups. Follow Generation Iron MMA on Facebook and Twitter. Also, be sure to share, like, and comment to show your support.
Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
