At last, the former UFC middleweight fighter Nate Marquardt cleared up the things that have been haunting him after his separation from the UFC. The last minute announcement of UFC president Dana White that Marquardt will no longer play for the UFC became a hit discussion in forums and other MMA sites. For those who are following the career of “The Great”, it is not hard to guess that the fighter was again involved in the use of steroids. Marquardt was sanctioned in 2005 because of a failed steroid test. He blamed it on a tainted supplement that he was taking during that time.

A great middleweight fighter, Marquardt wants to take a chance in the welterweight division. However, the UFC and the commission did not clear him to fight in the Versus 4 for failure to comply with medical requirements. And now, the speculations of most MMA fans were answered. Marquardt was barred from Versus 4 because of high levels of testosterone in his system.

Marquardt under Testosterone Replacement Therapy

In an interview with Ariel Helwani of MMA Hour, Marquardt admitted that his testosterone level exceeded the standard set by the commission. But he contends that the adverse level was due to his continuous testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Marquardt told Helwani that his treatment started since August through the recommendation of his doctor. Several medical examinations were conducted on him and the doctor advised him to undergo TRT.

Therapeutic Use Exemption Allowed Him to Fight

Marquardt already fought several times while under the medication. The MMA fighter was able to fight Rousimar Palhares, Yushin Okami, and Dan Miller without any trouble. He’s using the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) which can be given to fighters as long as they comply with the requirements. Though it was reported that the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board gave him conditions but he was still given a go signal to fight at UFC 128 in New Jersey.

The athletic commission noted that his treatment did not comply with USADA standards and the medical requirements were incomplete. He was given clearance but he must comply with the conditions like going off the treatment for eight weeks, undergoing blood tests, and medical check-ups from an endocrinologist.

Aggressive Testosterone Treatment

According to Marquardt, his doctor recommended a more aggressive testosterone treatment weeks before his Versus 4 schedule. Instead of the oral testosterone, the fighter was given the injectable one to increase the testosterone levels in his body. Marquardt contend that he failed to monitor his condition which led to the higher than normal level during the weigh-in. Though he stopped taking testosterone, it was still high which resulted to his suspension by PSAC. The UFC also replaced him in the Versus 4 main bout and Dana White took him out of the promotion company.

Testosterone Level Back to Normal

Marquardt admitted that he messed up and took responsibility for what happened. “There were things I should have done and I had oversight, and I have to take responsibility for that,” he said. His camp said that the testosterone level of the middleweight fighter is now on its normal level as evidenced by a blood test. They hope it will convince the PSAC to lift the suspension.

Meanwhile, some sports writers and MMA fans are still skeptical about Marquardt’s story. They can’t be blamed because Marquardt had a previous record of steroid use. It also opens the possibility that the therapeutic use exemption is being abused by some fighters.

According to Jamie Penick of MMATorch, the therapy on Marquardt should bring the level of testosterone to its normal level. “If it has them elevated then it simply makes it look like he was trying to cycle a steroid regimen,” said Penick. Aside from genetics and age, the low testosterone level could also be the result of long term use of steroids.

It is a common knowledge that the internet is one of the primary sources of anabolic steroids. There are countless online stores selling various types of steroids and other performance enhancing substances. While an online purchase can be done in one click, many are still doing the traditional method, selling steroids directly to the buyers. For those people who want to earn more profit they use both strategies.

But not all are lucky enough in circumventing the law. Just recently, two persons were arrested by Canadian law enforcement officers for selling steroids to undercover operatives. The suspects were also alleged selling steroids in the internet using several social media sites.

Suspects were Teenagers

However, it becomes a concern for the authorities because the suspects are in their teens. Isaac Harvey Haack and Rachel Irene Krusto, both 19 years old, were arrested last weekend near a gas station in Nanaimo, BC. According to police reports, operatives arranged for an entrapment of the two suspects by purchasing steroids at the designated location. A search on their car revealed an undisclosed amount of steroids.

A follow up operation of the Nanaimo RCMP yielded more steroids. A search on the home of the suspect resulted to the seizure of 21 different kinds of anabolic steroids which was estimated to be around $6,400. Two laptop computers and cellphones were also confiscated because it may have been used by the suspects in selling steroids on the internet.

Used Social Networking Sites

A police spokesman told the media that Haack and Krusto were advertising in social networking sites to peddle and distribute the controlled substances. Authorities also estimated that the two were able to sell hundreds of pills to bodybuilding enthusiasts and had a customer base in Western Canada.

Anabolic steroids are very popular in the bodybuilding arena because it can help in the dramatic development of muscles and stamina. Many athletes, whether in the collegiate and high school level, are also using steroids in the hopes that it will help them become better athletes. But steroids are controlled substances and prohibited in almost all sports organizations.

Haack Suspended by the TimberMen

Haack is not an ordinary guy. It turned out that the suspect is an elite player in the Nanaimo Junior A Timbermen lacrosse team. According to Nanaimo head coach Dave Bremner, the team only learned about the incident when he was contacted by the media. Bremner said that they are concerned about the incident and the team immediately called a meeting with the players. It is not yet clear if other lacrosse players are involved in the illegal trade of Haack or they also purchased steroids from the suspect. Coach Bremner told the Nanaimo Daily News that lacrosse players in the Junior A level are not tested for steroids.

The B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League declined to comment on Haack’s case but insiders said the league will also conduct their own investigation on the matter.

Haack and Krusto Released on Bail

The teenagers were charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking but were released after posting bail. Both are scheduled to appear at the Nanaimo provincial court on July 19.

Sports officials in Canada were surprised that the judge hearing the case of former University of Waterloo football player decided to acquit the defendant in the steroid distribution case. This is despite of a witness testimony accusing the linebacker of selling him an anabolic steroid. Brandon Krukowski, 23 was acquitted on the steroid distribution charge for failure of the prosecution and witnesses to prove that he was really involved in illegal drug trade.

Krukowski is one of the UW football players who were charged for possession and distribution of anabolic steroids. The case of Nathan Zettler, who is the center of the steroid investigation, is still being heard in court. The arrests of these players revealed the rampant use of anabolic steroids in the UW Warriors team. A team wide steroid testing showed several football players using steroids. The controversy led to the suspension of the entire football team for one season.

Judge Ruled Krukowski Did Not Sold Anabolic Steroids

Judge Roderick Flaherty sided with Krukowski and believed the former linebacker’s contention that he was not selling a banned drug. Krukowski told the court that he only sold a legal herbal supplement called T-Bol to his former team mate. T-Bol is an over the counter supplement available in most online stores.

Krukowski even told the court that he still uses T-Bol to maintain his physique. The supplement claims that it can boost the natural production of testosterone in the body. However, the prosecution contends that the former linebacker sold a potent anabolic steroid Turinabol.

Key Witness Asked for Turinabol

In a sworn statement, key witness Eric Polini, 22 said he got his steroids from Krukowski and used the drug for a month. Polini is one of the UW football players who admitted to steroid use and received a 2-year suspension. Polini alleged that he approached Krukoswki in the off-season and bought the anabolic steroid Turinabol. He paid $80 for a bottle containing 100 capsules.

Another witness also told the court that Krukowski offered him steroids but did not buy from the defendant. Former Warriors running back Matt Socholotiuk said he approached Krukowski during the 2009 season and asked if he can get steroids from him. The linebacker said in the affirmative.

Though Socholotiuk did not buy steroids from Krukowski, he was also one of the UW Warriors who failed the steroid test. His test result showed positive for human growth hormone. Socholotiuk is the first athlete caught for HGH in North America.

CCES will Continue Its Effort Cleaning Canadian Sports with Steroids

Doug MacQuarrie, the chief operating officer for the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) told The Record that the agency was disappointed by the decision of the judge. Nevertheless, the agency will continue to clean the sports of performance enhancing drugs said MacQuarrie. They are determined to find the sources of these drugs, identify people involved in the distribution, and file charges once they get hold of significant evidences.

The CCES and CIS will also implement new policies in University sports to deter athletes from taking steroids and other performance enhancing drugs.

MMA fans are still wondering what happened to UFC welterweight contender Nate Marquardt. He was taken out in the main event of the UFC on Versus 4 which was held June 26. The heavyweight bout between Cheick Kongo and Pat Barry was instead promoted as the main event. His opponent, Rick Story was matched up with Charlie Brenneman as the last minute replacement for “The Great.”

Little information was released to the media by the UFC on what really caused the replacement of Marquardt. In a short statement, UFC president Dana White posted in twitter the reason why Marquardt was replaced at the last minute of the event. “I’m sure you heard that Nate Marquardt is out. It’s true. He failed his medicals. Not only is he out of this fight, out of the main event on Versus, he will no longer be with the UFC,” said White.

UFC Ended Ties with Marquardt

Yes you’ve heard it right. Nate Marquardt was also released from the UFC. Marquardt failed to comply with the medical requirements of the fight but many are speculating that the main reason could be due to drug test or illness. White will not make a last minute decision if Marquardt did not violate any major policy of the promotion company. The former middleweight contender is one of the best fighters in UFC.

The camp of Marquardt and the UFC did not issue any further statement despite calls from several MMA news agencies. Other online sources said that Marquardt was very disappointed on what happened but still optimistic that he will be able to come back as soon as possible.

Speculations on Marquardt’s Separation from the UFC

As long as the athletic commission and the UFC will not clarify the real issue why Marquardt was fired, speculations will come out. On top of it is the issue of steroid use. Nate Marquardt was suspended a few years ago for using the steroid nandrolone. There is also a possibility that the fighter took a dietary supplement with a banned substance. However, other MMA writers believe that it is something else that caused the termination and not steroids.

Anabolic Steroids Might Not be the Culprit

Since Marquardt is trying to lose weight, anabolic steroid is not his best option. Though he can gain more strength in using steroids, it can also add more weight on his body.

A good guess is Marquardt used supplements which contain diuretics. This substance is banned in most sports organization. Diuretics help reduce weight by removing excess water in the body. “The Great” is fighting at a lighter weight division so this is also a possibility. There are also rumors that Marquardt is still overweight before the fight. And lastly, it could be due to an illness that health officials deemed dangerous for Marquardt to proceed with the fight.

Marquardt has an impressive record as a mixed martial arts fighter. His professional record is 31-10-2 while his UFC record is 10-4. With his great fighting style, the UFC president gave him a chance to fight in the welterweight division.

Meanwhile, White said in the post-game presscon that Versus 4 was one of the best shows of UFC.

Here’s the complete result of UFC on Versus 4:

Main Bouts
Cheick Kongo def. Pat Barry by KO at 2:39, R1
Charlie Brenneman def. Rick Story by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards)
Matt Brown def. John Howard by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards)
Matt Mitrione def. Christian Morecraft by KO at 4:28, R2

Preliminary Bouts
Tyson Griffin def. Manny Gamburyan by unanimous decision
Javier Vazquez def. Joe Stevenson by unanimous decision
Joe Lauzon def. Curt Warburton by submission (kimura)
Rich Attonito def. Daniel Roberts by unanimous decision
Charles Oliveira def. Nik Lentz by submission (rear naked choke)
Ricardo Lamas def. Matt Grice by TKO (referee’s stoppage due to strikes)
Michael Johnson def. Edward Faaloloto by TKO (referee’s stoppage due to strikes)

For complete details go to mmaweekly site.

Government officials and health experts in Mexico argue whether steroid tainted meat is safe to the consumers or not. Early this month, several national soccer players competing in the Gold Cup tested positive for the steroid clenbuterol. The players and the sports federation contends the positive test could be the result of taking contaminated meat.

Sports anti-doping officials may not subscribe to this excuse but media reports reveal that the incidence of meat contamination is common in Mexico. There is a possibility that the players ate beef which were raised with the use of steroids particularly clenbuterol. Many ranchers in Mexico use clenbuterol in their livestock to increase meat production. Touted as miracle salts or cattle cocaine, clenbuterol helps build muscle mass. The meat becomes leaner and free from fats. For unsuspecting consumers, these qualities encourage them to buy the steroid tainted meat.

Government Assured Consumers Meat from Mexico is Safe

Health and agriculture officials from Mexico immediately counter the allegation that meat from Mexico is unsafe to the consumers. This is to avert any adverse effect on the cattle industry and the tourism as well. In a joint statement, government officials said that steroid related sickness in the country is not chronic. Last year’s data showed that there was only one case per one million Mexican consumer hospitalized for eating contaminated meat.

According to Miami Herald, there are at least 7 million beef cattle, 3 million dairy cows and 6.8 million calves in Mexico. The country is a major exporter of calves to the US and also a major consumer of beef. This is the reason why the government tried to limit the effects of steroid meat scare.

Critics, on the other hand, believe that the current situation in the cattle industry is a major concern. There has been reports that cattle producers from the states of Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Michoacán, Mexico, Tlaxcala and Durango use steroids in their livestock.

Zero Incident to Make it Safe

Hospitalization because of Mexican steroid tainted meat reached 795 cases in 2007 and decreased in 2010 to 297 cases. However, health experts argued that there should be zero cases of steroid related illnesses before the government can say it is safe for consumption. People who are sickened by steroid tainted meat are those who buy organ meat particularly liver. Symptoms usually appear after an hour of ingestion which includes palpitations, headache, nervousness, and fluctuating blood pressure.

Mexico Penalizes Use of Clenbuterol on Cattle

The government has an existing law penalizing the use of steroid clenbuterol on cattle production. Offenders will be facing at least seven years if found guilty but many ranchers still ignore the law. It is estimated that using steroids for 1 or 2 months will yield to an additional 15% meat. That would translate to an additional 100 pounds of meat for each cattle.

It was also noted that some ranchers overdose their stocks with Clenbuterol to earn more profit. Health experts warn consumers that they should be more cautious in buying lean and less fatty meat.

The man who exposed the rampant use of anabolic steroids in baseball six years ago now claims that steroids will not make you a superstar. Baseball slugger Jose Canseco revealed in his tell-all steroid books that at least 85% of major league players were using performance enhancing drugs. However, that allegation cost him his job and resulted to being blacklisted in the major league baseball.

Canseco, who is currently playing in the North American Baseball League, admitted that his decision helped American baseball change for the better. What he has done several years ago was not a publicity stunt and he just wanted to let the fans know what was happening inside baseball and to players just like him. “I simply wanted my fans and the public to know what happened to Jose Canseco at 35-36, why he couldn’t find a job in baseball, period. I hope and I know that it’s helped Major League Baseball. I know it has helped make it an even playing field now. Hopefully, it saved some kid’s life, (somewhere) down the line,” Canseco told the Edmonton Journal.

Steroid Books Ruined His Life

Though Canseco had a good purpose in publishing those steroid books, it was too late for him to realize that it will backfire on him. “I wish I hadn’t written it, it ruined my life,” Canseco said. Every relationship between players, coaches, and the management were severed because of his revelations. Some of the baseball players he mentioned in the tell-all books were Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, Juan Gonzalez, and Rafael Palmeiro.

The baseball slugger was able to prove that these players really used steroids but his relationship with them also ended. “I am the guy they hate the most.” He also said that the major league blacklisted him for life. “There’s absolutely no way I’ll ever get a job,” he said.

Steroids Are Over rated, It Doesn’t Make You a Star

The former steroid user claims steroids are overrated. People tend to overemphasize the benefits of steroids in improving the performance of an athlete. Canseco gave as an example the case of his brother who used steroids just like him but never make it to the major leagues. “He used the same steroids as I did. He did the same workouts as I did, ate the same foods, the same nutrition that I used. He never made it to the big leagues,” he said.

The slugger however, still admits that steroids help athletes cope up with the demands of the job. Fans and the management forced them to do whatever it takes to perform their best all the times. Canseco claims they are treated as a machine or as a commodity and not as humans. Money also played an important role why professional players take steroids.

Do steroids really make you a superstar? Canseco answered in the negative. “Steroids don’t make you a superstar, you make yourself a superstar,” he said.

The Major League Clean of Steroids

For Canseco, the major league is now clean of steroids because of effective testing methods. The anti-doping policy of the league is working effectively because of the sanctions imposed on doping players. “It’s definitely working, and right now, it’s not worth using steroids in baseball,” he added.

Hitting for Yuma Scorpions

Canseco already accepted his fate and is contented playing in the minor league. He is acting as the manager and player for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American Baseball League. The team lost in their first encounter with Edmonton Capitals and the former Oakland A’s slugger has yet to hit his first home run this season.