While steroids becomes a sensation in boxing, its rival MMA has started to get public attention for its internal problem on steroids. Accusations of steroid use from other fighters looms and positive tests of other players become a major issue in the arena of mixed martial arts. The surge in popularity of this contact sports is a proof that players will do everything just to establish a name and become a champion. It is a sport not spared from the benefits of using performance enhancers.

Just like in boxing, MMA champions were not isolated from steroid accusations especially the heavyweights. Frank Mir is the latest fighter implicated in the use of steroids. The abrupt change of his body physique caught the attention of his critics. The 21 pounds shredded from his weight when he fought Cheick Kongo in UFC 107 raised some speculations. With his more muscular and beefed up body, he was able to dropped Kongo in the first round and finished him with a guillotine choke early in the fight. Mir is quick to address the issue but did not make it as a major concern. “I understand, everyone is quick to downplay anyone who is successful,” he said during an interview. He told to Cagewriter.com that his performance now is due to the help of his strength and conditioning coach Mark Philippi. The coach and a former Strongest Man winner did not administered any banned or illegal substance during his training. “Mark Phillipe is a huge man himself and he’s always been a drug-free athlete. He’s never had to use that to compete with and he’s in the upper echelon. That’s kind of why I chose him because I see guys who are out there that are super strong,” Mir said.

“I had the mentality that well, I’m going to have to be a cardio freak and every extra pound is going to count against me. So if it’s not pure muscle it’s a waste of my time.” He said that 261 pounds is his natural body weight. “If you look at those 10 pounds you have to look at what percentage of that is muscle. I’m not really a 245-pound guy,” he said.

Mir is still determined to bulk up as he prepares for a rematch against the heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. The match is still in limbo due to the health condition of Lesnar. For the meantime, Frank Mir is being matched against the super-sized Shane Carwin on March 2010.

Another steroid accusation came from trainer Rudy Valentino and BJ Penn. The trainer told SI that they felt Georges St. Pierre was on steroids when he fought BJ Penn on their rematch. “I think it’s because of his so-called steroid use, and all of that, that B.J. felt it was an unfair fight. We heard from certain people that used to train with him, telling us what he did in the past. That’s why, we had a heads up on that,” he said. He also speculated that St. Pierre was on a steroid cycle that’s why he never tested positive for any steroids. “When you cycle steroids, you’re not going to test positive. You can cycle it right up to the time of the fight and not test positive on that,” he added.

The most intriguing accusation was from K-1 fighter Zabit Samedov saying that “almost all” Dutch fighters are using steroids. In the sbnation.com report, Samedov gave fearless statements about the allege doping of Golden Glory’s fighters. “Almost all Dutch fighters juice. For example, in Golden Glory it’s almost a part of the club’s policy. They shoot up and fight like it’s nothing. Because of that when they get to the ring they start raging. Think about it yourself, how could Bard Hari change his physical complexion so much in two years?” He also added that Karaev trained in Holland and said that Zimmerman shoots up in front of everyone and only after that starts training. ” Look at what an elephant Zimmerman had become in just two years. But most of these fighters pass all medical tests for steroids.” He also told sbnation that the fighters consume an extremely high level of pharmaceutical drug and undergo an expensive 3 month cycle to get huge.

However, this allegation was immediately denied by Golden Glory’s Bas Boon during an interview with HeadKickLegend.com. Boon asked so many questions against Samedov and told the press that it is the most ridiculous remark he ever heard from a fighter. “Why would he call Samedov and tell this outsider Samedov that Zimmerman shoots steroids in front of his teamates? Maybe Karaev came to Holland to infiltrate the GG camp and then brief Zamedov with the secret medicine GG uses? Did Zamedov get hired by the athletic commission who tested Zamedov positive himself? “I guess it must be frustrating being Samedov’s height and weight - to make accusations in the press like he does, we feel sorry for him,” he added.

Meanwhile, the appeal of Josh Barnett on his steroid case was postponed on February 22, 2010. The case stemmed from the cancellation of his license by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) due to a positive anabolic steroid test in July. Barnett questioned the results and denied using anabolic steroids and any performance enhancing drugs.

The positive test for anabolic steroid was the third in the 12-year career of Josh Barnett who is the youngest champion in the history of UFC. His anabolic steroid use was first detected by the NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission) during his title fight against Randy Couture in 2002. Three anabolic steroids were found on his system which resulted to the stripping-off his belt. Barnetts’ anabolic steroid problem also caused the cancellation of his fight against Fedor Emelianenko in Affliction last August.

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