The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) with its continuing commitment to the health and safety of its athletes is now implementing a mandatory pre-contract screening for performance enhancing drugs. This decision is aimed to address the bad publicity brought about by the positive steroid test of former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion “King Mo” Lawal and Strikeforce women’s 145-pound champ “Cyborg” Santos.

According to White, the policy had actually been in effect for the past season in TUF. They were encouraged to adopt the said rules for all other fighters. All Zuffa fighters – regardless of whether they are in the UFC, Strikeforce, or “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series will now be required by the new drug testing policy to pass a pre-fight drug test for anabolic steroids before they can sign a contract and be able to compete.

Negative Side Effects of Steroids to Young Fighters

The new drug testing policy for performance-enhancing drugs will show how important it is for the UFC to even out the playing field of athletes. But White believes that more significant issue of possibly controlling the dangerous side effects of steroids can be addressed through this more intense measure of steroid drug testing. Young athletes that are lured into using steroids to be able to compete in MMA can also be prevented.

“So if we can stop that stuff early with these athletes that are young and have the talent to be here, we feel we’ll win half the battle,” White told an MMA site.

Keeping the fighters away from banned substances for good is considered as the other part of the battle against steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. But White said that such things are the responsibility of the state athletic commissions and not of the UFC. He further cited that the commissions’ testing procedures are far more stringent as compared to other pro sports leagues like the NFL and the MLB.

There might have no single way of clearing out steroid users in MMA but UFC will at least going to try to make it tougher for them to get in with this new drug testing policy.

Zuffas’ Decision Not Enough But Not A Bad Move

Regardless of the purpose or the timing of an instant pre-qualifying steroid drug testing rule of Zuffa, its effect would be substantial to address the growing number of athletes that are into steroids. But to seriously clean up the sport from steroids and performance-enhancing drugs a random out-of-competition testing is a better option.

However, in the history of MMA such provision is something that the athletic commission or other sanctioning body has not effectively, seriously and consistently pursued.

If Zuffa intends to deal with drug issue on a deeper level, they should carry out more stringent policies and punishments for PED users. Zuffa being a powerful entity in the MMA could do so much to fight the battle against steroid use. It surely can implement something that would finally make the UFC fighters think twice before using steroids because of the bigger chances of getting caught.

Most MMA fighters who were caught using banned substances will always defend themselves by blaming dietary supplements. It is true that many dietary supplements available in health stores may contain ingredients that are banned by sports commission and other professional sports bodies. And it is a fact. There are already many cases where the FDA intervened and even charged some manufacturers of dietary supplements for selling products that contains anabolic steroids.

However, it is baffling that most athletes still blame their supplements after failing a steroid test. Using this alibi is the least viable defense. Existing rules on doping states that the fighter is responsible for any supplement or medication that he is taking. He must ensure that it does not contain any banned substances.

The Case of Cyborg and King Mo

Supplement contamination is the culprit in the recent failed steroid tests of Cyborg Santos and King Mo Lawal. Both fighters claim that the steroids found in their system was caused by the dietary supplements that they were taking. Cyborg admitted that she was taking a supplement to help her shed more weight. On the other hand, King Mo blamed an over-the-counter supplement he used to aid him during trainings.

According to health experts the steroids taken by the two fighters were really intended to help them get an unfair advantage over their competitor. Though it may not appear on the label, as King Mo claims, they should have at least conducted a research on the said supplement.

Stanozolol and Drostanolone

A combat sports specialist, Dr. Johnny Benjamin wrote in his column in MMAJunkie that the steroids found in Cyborg’s system is not used by accident. Stanozolol, also popular Winstrol, is commonly used anabolic steroids by weight-restricted female athletes. Dr Benjamin identified the various benefits of stanozolol to user. The said steroid does not retain fluid as compared to other anabolic steroids. It acts as a diuretic which help in the rapid weight loss. A perfect supplement for a fighter who wants to achieve certain weight.

Aside from helping an athlete increase her muscle mass, Stanozolol is noted to have fewer masculinizing and virilizing side effects. Female athletes will not encounter deepening of the voice, facial hair and other unwanted side effects.

Drostanolone, known as masteron, is also commonly used by athletes who want to cut weight but with leaner muscle mass. Another reason why this steroid is popular to combat sports is it helps increase the strength and stamina of an athlete. Drostalonone is also used during cutting cycles and stacked with steroids like trenbolone and winstrol. So the alibi of King Mo that he is not aware of the contents of the supplement is hard to believe. In fact, online information about the said supplement describes it as a designer anabolic steroid.

Countering the Effects of Failed Steroid Tests

According to Dr Benjamin, the positive test of Cyborg will harm the women’s MMA especially that it is still fighting for mainstream acceptance. It will also bolster the rumors that Brazilian athletes are into PED’s use. But Zuffa is quick to counter the effects of steroids in the MMA. Zuffa implemented a new drug testing policy that will affect the UFC, Strikeforce and TUF fighters. Every fighter who will sign a contract on any of these promotion companies must undergo steroid testing. This is in response to the failed tests of two best fighters in Strikeforce.

Earlier reports hinted that Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal will contest the result of his positive steroid test. However, recent interviews showed that Lawal will not refute the test result. Instead he will just explain to the commission the possible cause of his failed test and how the steroid got into his system. The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) already scheduled a meeting with the MMA fighter next week to hear the case.

Lawal showed an impressive performance against Lorenz Larkin at the Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine event. He won via TKO. The top light heavyweight contender, however, will be facing a tougher situation when he faces the state athletic commission. Fighters failing a steroid test usually receive 1 year suspension from the sports plus fines and forfeiture of the title. His goal to be back in the light heavyweight division of the Strikeforce is becoming nil, for now.

HD Net Inside MMA Interview with Lawal:

Lawal Blamed Supplement from Popular Health Nutrition Store

In an interview with Ariel Helwani of the MMA Hour, King Mo Lawal and his manager admits that the fighter took a supplement prior to his fight last January 7. Lawal said that he bought the supplement S-Mass Lean Gainer by Rock Solid at a famous health nutrition store in California. He explained that he started to take the supplement sometime in April 2010 but used the supplement once in a while to help him recuperate. The supplement was recommended by an employee of the health store when he asked about a supplement that could help his muscles during weight training.

The Strikeforce fighter insisted that the label of the supplement does not mention it contains anabolic steroids. The fact that it was sold at a supplement store, he believed that it does not contain steroid of any kind. “When I went to Max Muscle, I figured you can’t buy steroids at a Max Muscle,” he said. “When I looked at the bottle, it just had a bunch of numbers on it. It had the ingredients. I didn’t see anything that looked illegal on the bottle, to be honest with you,” Lawal told Helwani. He also said that he never heard of the steroid drostanolone until the press asked him about the positive test.

The supplement S-Mass Lean Gainer was already pulled out from the shelves in mid-2011 according to his manager Mike Kogan. It was removed from the market because of its potent steroid content, Methyldrostanolone. Lawal admitted that he did not make any research on the said supplement.

Lawal Will Convince NSAC that He is a Victim of Tainted Supplement

Based from the interviews, Lawal and his camp will convince the athletic commission that he is just a victim of a tainted supplement. Since they already confirmed that there will be no appeal, the hearing next week will just probably focus on his explanation why he failed the steroid test. “What we will file is an answer, and an answer would involve affirming their test results and providing our findings and our explanation,” said Kogan.

One of the possible issues that will be raised by Lawal is the mislabeled supplement. When he purchased the product, it was not illegal and was not marketed as an anabolic steroid. “We had no intent of taking any illegal substance and we believe we have enough evidence and enough character references to make that point very clear,” Kogan said.

I’m Clean

King Mo insisted that he is clean and never tried to cheat just to win the game. His clean record from his collegiate and international wrestling competitions is a proof that he is not a cheater. “For me, the best way to get an advantage over your opponent is through hard work, preparation, and your skills,” said King Mo. He also said that game-planning is the best way to beat an opponent.

However, under the existing rules, fighters who are caught using banned substances will be held responsible. This is regardless if they took it inadvertently or a victim of tainted supplements.

Lawal knows that people will accuse him of doping. But the MMA fighter is still optimistic that he will be able to get out of this mess because he’s telling the truth.

The UFC and Strikeforce know that they have to act immediately to avert further damage to their image. After the suspension of two top contenders in the Strikeforce for steroids use, the parent company of the two major MMA promotions in the country decided to introduce a new policy requiring new fighters to be tested for anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing substances.

Top Contender’s Recent Positive Steroid Test

The women’s 145 weight division champion Cris Cyborg Santos was suspended by the CSAC last week for failing a steroid test. But after a few days, another fighter in Strikeforce followed her fate. Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal also failed a steroid test conducted by the NSAC during his fight last January 7. He tested positive for drostanolone while Cyborg took stanozolol.

These fighters denied that they are doping. Instead, Cyborg blamed a dietary supplement while King Mo will be filing an appeal to contest the positive test result. But whatever reason they have, people will always believe that the anabolic steroids found in their systems were intentionally ingested to help them become stronger and better fighters in the octagon.

New Fighters will be subjected to Steroid Tests

In the press release issued by Zuffa, new fighters under the UFC and Strikeforce will now be required to undergo steroid testing before they can be signed in. Fighters participating in the reality show “The Ultimate Fighter” are also included in the new directive. This new anti-doping policy will be implemented retroactively. The MMA promotion company dated its new drug testing policy January 1, 2012.

According to Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, they are taking the issue seriously and committed to the health and safety of their athletes. “We already work closely with athletic commissions to protect our athletes and now we’re taking it one step further. We’re going to test any potential UFC or Strikeforce fighter before finalizing their contract. This shows that we don’t want performance-enhancing drugs in our sport,” the chief executive added.

UFC President Dana White also issued similar statements. White knows the consequences of using performance enhancing drugs which usually put the life of the athlete at risk and even death. He said that they will do everything to keep these PED’s out of UFC and Strikeforce. “Our athletes are already held to the highest testing standards in all sports by athletic commissions. Our new testing policy for performance-enhancing drugs only further shows how important it is to us to have our athletes competing on a level playing field,” White added.

Existing fighters will be continuously tested for steroids and other performance enhancing drugs either randomly or in and out of competition as required by the State Athletic Commissions. For events held outside the country, the UFC hires independent testing agencies to conduct the steroid testing on the fighters. Zuffa has more or less 350 MMA fighters.

Effectiveness of the New Policy Still in Question

But whether this new steroid policy will be effective is still in question. Even if they test new fighters before signing them into a contract, most athletes take performance enhancing drugs during trainings or before their scheduled fights. Unless the promotion company implements a more stringent out of competition steroid testing, there will be fighters who will use performance enhancers.

While the recent failed steroid test of Cris Cyborg Santos is still fresh in the minds of MMA fans, another Strikeforce top contender is caught using anabolic steroids. Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal failed a steroid test conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) during his fight last January 7. Lawal was one of the fighters in the Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine which was held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. King Mo showed that he can regain his title in the light heavyweight division when he defeated Lorenz Larkin via a first round TKO.

However, the top contender in the light heavyweight may be out of Strikeforce for at least a year after the failed steroid test. NSAC already forwarded Lawal’s case for disciplinary action. According to NSAC, they found Drostanolone in Lawal’s urine sample. Drostanolone, popularly known as Masteron, is used by athletes to gain strength and develop muscles. It is commonly used during a cutting cycle when an athlete or bodybuilder wants to achieve muscle mass without gaining too much weight.

Lawal Will Refute the Positive Steroid Test

Lawal was shocked when he learned about the positive test. In a statement given to ESPN, Lawal said that he will contest the positive steroid test. Fighters are required to submit two samples. Lawal can ask for his B sample to be tested to confirm if the result is a false positive. “I’m very surprised about this. I am very careful about what I put into my body. I’ve never tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. I’ve gone through, and still welcome, Olympic-style testing,” he told ESPN. Lawal added that he will do everything to prove that he is not a cheater. “I might cheat at video games, but I never cheat at fighting,” he said.

His manager also confirmed to the media that they will request testing of the B sample at another laboratory. Mike Kogan, manager of Lawal, said that they are not familiar with the kind of drug found in Lawal’s system. “We honestly have no clue where this came from,” he said. Kogan, though, admits that his fighter is taking iron supplements on a regular basis. He also divulged that Lawal received an injection on his knee a few weeks before the bout but clarified that it was not an anabolic steroid.

With this kind of pronouncement from Lawal’s camp, it is likely that the fighter will blame his supplements for the failed test result. Cyborg Santos also blamed her dietary supplement which she allegedly contain the banned substance stanozolol. However, fighters are responsible for what they are ingesting so even if it was caused by the supplements, they will still receive sanctions.

CSAC gave Santos a 1-year suspension plus fine and forfeited her title. The NSAC will definitely do the same. The Strikeforce’s top light heavyweight contender will be resting for a year and his win over Larkin will be declared as a no contest. He can just pray that the suspension will be reduced if he can convince the NSAC that the he was a victim of a tainted supplement.

Fighters who were Already Caught for Drostanolone

On the other hand, Lawal is not the only fighter who was caught taking drostanolone. So it will be hard to convince the NSAC that he is not doping. In the history of MMA, four fighters flunked the drug test because of the same steroid. These fighters are former UFC lightweight contender Hermes Franca, welterweight Dennis Hallman, light-heavyweight Bill Mahood, and former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett.

Other Fighters Tested Negative

Main and undercard fighters were all tested for steroids. All of them returned negative for any anabolic steroid or other performance enhancing drugs except for Muhammed Lawal. Both the main card fighters Luke Rockhold and Keith Jardine passed the test. Other fighters who were tested were Robbie Lawler, Tyron Woodley, Tyler Stinson, Tarec Saffiedine, Nah-Shon Burrell, James Terry, Trevor Smith, Gian Villante, Chris Spang, Ricky Legere, Alonzo Martinez and Estevan Payan.

There were various reactions when the recent Strikeforce champion in the women 145 division was busted for taking steroids. Cristiane Cyborg Santos was suspended for one year by the California State Athletic Commission for her positive steroid test. The steroid stanozolol found in her system is commonly used as a weight loss tool by athletes. It is also responsible for the development of leaner muscles. Though Santos denied that she took the steroid intentionally, CSAC still imposed the suspension and other sanctions including a “no contest” ruling in her previous fight with Yamanaka.

Santos blamed a dietary supplement which she used to lose weight in getting into the 145 catch weight. In a statement, Santos said that she will do everything to show her fans that she can still compete at the professional level without the use of any prohibited substances. She also asked for God’s forgiveness for her mistake. But these statements will not help control the damage she had caused to her reputation. She will receive the same criticisms accorded to men fighters who were also caught using steroids or other performance enhancing drugs.

Women MMA Fighters Harsh on Her Use of Steroids

One of the very vocal critics on Santos’ steroid use is Ronda Rousey. During an interview, Rousey directly hit the former 145 women division champion. “I feel like anyone with half a brain isn’t surprised. I have mixed emotions of Cyborg being caught cheating because I know everyone knew she was cheating and I wanted to make an example of her because you don’t need to take steroids to win,” she told Mauro Ranallo of the MMA Show.

The former Olympian, who became one of the sensations in the women MMA, said that it was a good thing that Cyborg was caught by CSAC. She also believes that Cyborg has been cheating in her fights. “I don’t have the least bit respect for her because I always knew she was a cheater, and now everyone else knows too,” Rousey said.

Cyborg Santos promised to return in the MMA. However, women fighters like Rousey expect that she will never be the same fighter again unless Cyborg will turn to other performance enhancers like HGH. Growth hormones are hard to detect because it leaves the system within 2-3 days.

Rousey’s impressive record (4-0) will be tested on March 3, 2012 against the women’s 135-pound champion Miesha Tate.

Meanwhile, Gina Carano, who was defeated by the Cyborg Santos in an epic match, also shared her sentiments. “I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t hurt by the whole thing. That fight with her was definitely the biggest moment of my mixed martial arts (MMA) career and at that time I had people around me telling me she was on steroids and everything,” Carano told Thomas Myers of MMA Mania.

Carano still commended Santos for her athletic ability and hinted that the people around her may be the reason why the fighter turned to steroids. “Maybe someone around her was telling her she needed to do that when she really didn’t. Maybe it was someone around her telling her the wrong things,” Carano said.

While Carano was out of the MMA for about 2 years, she found a new career in acting. She will be seen in the movie Haywire which is scheduled to hit theaters on Jan. 20, 2012.

If Carano decides to comeback, a rematch will surely boost women MMA again. A grudge match can also happen between Ronda Rousey and Cyborg Santos when the latter returns after her steroid suspension.

Implement Better Anti-Doping Policies

Another MMA woman fighter, Rosi Sexton also shared her thoughts on the use of performance enhancing drugs in MMA. The advantages of using performance enhancing drugs are significant and insurmountable which may influence even good fighters to take the drugs. To take steroids out of the mixed martial arts, strict implementation of anti-doping measures must be in place. This will not only discourage steroid use but will also tackle the loopholes in the current system.

However, there is another problem. Mixed Martial Arts is still promoted as a business and not as sports so implementation of better anti-doping policies may not happen soon.