We all know that UFC fighter Shane Carwin was implicated in a steroid ring. This happened when he was named as one of the clients of a compounding pharmacy involved in illegal prescriptions of anabolic steroids. Though Carwin has never been tested positive for steroids, MMA fans are speculating that the heavyweight fighter might still be using the said performance enhancing drug. His recent fight in Vancouver Canada last June is his chance to prove that he is not pumped up with steroids. However, anti-doping officials decided not to subject him to steroid testing.
The Reason
The Vancouver Athletic Commission (VAC) said in a statement that Carwin was exempted because of his medical condition after the fight. Carwin lost to Junior Dos Santos. He suffered multiple facial lacerations and a nasal fracture which requires immediate medical attention. Though Carwin still insists to be tested, the VAC opted to exempt him. “Despite Mr. Carwin’s willingness to complete the sample collection process, the VAC unilaterally exercised its discretion to rescind its selection of Mr. Carwin for anti-doping testing shortly following his bout at the event,” VAC told the media. The commission’s unilateral decision was based on fairness and fighter safety.
Other Fighters Tested
Other fighters in the main event were tested for performance enhancing, recreational, and drugs of abuse. All of them returned negative results. Under the VAC testing procedures, fighters are only tested after the fight. VAC told MMAJunkie that there were no pre-fight testing conducted on these fighters. “Under the Commission’s procedures, as implemented by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport at the event, those athletes selected for anti-doping testing were tested only after their contest,” said VAC representative Jonathan Tweedale.
The urine samples of UFC 131 fighters were sent to a laboratory accredited by WADA.
Carwin Can’t Fight for 60 Days
The suspension on Carwin is not caused by any violation of anti-doping policy. He was advised not to engage in any contact during training in the next 45 days because of the injuries he suffered. He can only return to the octagon after 60 days.
Marquardt’s Trainer Not Tolerating Fighters Using PED’s
The release of Nate Marquardt from the UFC affected not only his career but also the people around him. Marquardt was replaced from Versus 4 because of high levels of testosterone in his system. Though he contends that he is under testosterone replacement therapy, the levels were still high a day before the fight which caused his suspension and replacement.
TRT is seen by some as a method used by athletes in circumventing the anti-doping policy of most sports organizations. The UFC allows the use of steroids as long as the fighters get the therapeutic use exemption but this comes with strict conditions.
Now, the media is asking Marquardt’s trainer if he knows the medical condition of his athlete and if he allow such treatment on his fighters. Trevor Wittman, the head trainer of Grudge, has no other option but to take a stand on this issue. In an interview with MMA Fighting, Wittman said that he is not in favor of testosterone replacement therapy on MMA fighters. “To me, if your testosterone levels are getting lower over the years, that’s normal. You’re getting older,” said Wittman. Though a 21-year old fighter might have high levels of testosterone, an older fighter still has many advantages, his experience and knowledge.
The trainer said that he knows Marquardt is under TRT treatment. But for him, the method can still be considered as enhancing. He also told the MMA site that he’s talking with his fighters and asked them if they are seeing a doctor for a treatment or medication. “If it’s anything that has to do with enhancing, then I’m going to step away,” Wittman said.
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.
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)
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) claims that their sport has no problem with steroids. However, anti-doping heads in the country are not convinced that the promotion company is doing their best in catching cheating fighters. Some UFC fighters also believe that the use of steroids could be rampant in the sports because of the type of physique and sizes of some fighters. This allegation does not bother the UFC head. For Dana White, the current policies of the UFC are enough to deter the use of performance enhancing substances.
The UFC has no internal anti-doping tests but instead rely on the state athletic commissions in doing this task. The latest casualty from UFC fighters is Thiago Silva who admitted that he contaminated the urine sample to mask his use of steroids. But critics are expecting for more fighters failing the steroid tests. In a statement given to Reuters, Dana White said that a lot of people don’t understand their sport. “What a lot of people don’t realize is we are regulated by the government. The government oversees what we do and the government comes in and drug tests these guys,” he said.
UFC Not Following WADA Protocols
Anti-doping experts perceive this set-up as an ineffective method in addressing the real problem of steroids in mixed martial arts. The most vocal critic is the chief of the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Travis Tygart. According to the USADA chief, the claims of UFC that there is no problem with steroids is only used for PR campaigns. “They want, for public relation and marketing reasons, to say they have something that makes them look better than they truly are,” said Tygart.
Putting the burden on individual state and provincial athletic commissions in catching doping fighters is inadequate. “Why don’t they have better rules to give athletes and sports fans comfort that there is not a rampant culture of cheating with dangerous drugs going on in their sport?, asks Tygart. “They’re trying to pull a fast one here,” he added.
The recently concluded UFC 129 held in Canada for example was not sanctioned by USADA, WADA or the Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport (CCES). A report from Reuters showed that these anti-doping agencies are interested in coordinating with the UFC regarding its handling of MMA events. However, the UFC showed no interest in getting their services.
UFC Using WADA Accredited Labs
The director of Canadian operations of UFC, Tom Wright, said in a statement that the anti-doping tests conducted at UFC 129 followed WADA guidelines. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the CCES had no direct participation in the testing. They only send the samples to an accredited laboratory of WADA in Montreal. “We would like to work with CCES but these things take time,” Wright told Reuters. “But the important thing is it has not changed our philosophy as it relates to drug abuse in our sport,” he said. The Quebec Athletic Commission supervised the drug testing of fighters in UFC 129.
Blood Testing Fought by UFC
If the UFC is serious in fighting drugs and steroid abuse in MMA they must adopt new policies that conform to international standards and use the latest methods in catching doping fighters. Tygart divulged that lawyers of MMA are blocking the adoption of blood testing of fighters by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
“Not only are they not WADA Code compliant they have fought tooth and nail not to have any principles of the WADA Code .It’s a joke that they claim they are trying to protect their sport with WADA policies,” Tygart told Reuters. Again the chief anti-doping head of the country insists that the drug testing methods of state athletic commissions are way behind as compared with WADA’s anti-doping rules.
The controversial MMA fighter Chael Sonnen will be waiting for the decision of the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) on April 27. The scheduled meeting of the commissioners will tackle the issues on re-licensing Sonnen after the UFC fighter were caught in the middle of so many controversies. The former number one middleweight contender, who lost to Anderson Silva, was sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) for his failure to follow protocols. He tested positive for testosterone but he was able to convince CSAC that he is under hormone therapy. Sonnen’s 1 year suspension was reduced to 6 months. Early this year, he also pleaded guilty to a mortgage fraud which caused the forfeiture of his real state license.
Even though Sonnen’s career is in a mess, he still draws much attention from the media. The UFC fighter always wants to be in the limelight even if he will be criticized for his actions and his latest agenda is to convince promoters to allow him to challenge Michael Bisping in the ring. Sonnen’s eagerness to come back in MMA is still dependent on the commissioners of NSAC.
One possible problem of Sonnen is his previous statements given to the CSAC. He claimed that he told NSAC Director Keith Kizer about his hormone replacement therapy and the executive director allegedly approved his use of testosterone during his fight with Nate Marquardt at UFC 109. Though Kizer will not cast a vote on licensing issues, the commissioners will definitely ask Sonnen about those statements.
In the first meeting with Kizer, Sonnen’s explanation was ridiculous. NSAC Director Kizer told the MMAJunkie, “His point was, ‘Well, you and I have never talked before right now, but I don’t think I lied.’ Then he gave some very strange story and claimed, ‘My manager and you talked about therapeutic exemptions, and therefore, I just used the wrong word. I should have said ‘my’ instead of ‘I.’ As in ‘my manager’ instead of ‘I.’”
Chael Sonnen will be applying for two licenses, as a fighter and as a coach. He is hoping to coach in the TUF 14 “The Ultimate Fighter 14.” Though, in the MMAJunkie report, UFC President Dana White has no plans to choose Sonnen as a coach in TUF 14.
The middleweight fighter will need the majority of votes from the 5 member commission to get his licenses.
Meanwhile UFC heavyweight Junior dos Santos allegedly claimed that many MMA fighters in the heavyweight division are taking performance enhancing drugs. In an interview at the UFC Sem Limites show, Junior dos Santos said that the size of Alistair Overeem and Brock Lesnar could be due to PED’s. JDS will be fighting Lesnar at UFC 131.
MMA writer Larry Brown quoted some of the statements of dos Santos. “No I’ve never seen (someone taking performance-enhancing drugs [PEDs]), but I think at Heavyweight that happens a lot for sure. When you see people like Alistair Overeem, Brock Lesnar, look at the size of those guys, they’re really big.” He also implied that a lot of fighters are using anabolic steroids. “As Mario (Yamasaki) said, a lot of people use them but a lot of people don’t. I’m someone who has never used (PEDs), I think I came in the good phase of MMA and I’ve never used them,” JDS said.
According to Brown, it is not the first time Overeem or Lesnar was accused or suspected of taking steroids. Brock Lesnar came from the WWE where the use of steroids is rampant while Alistair Overeem competed in Japan where the promotion doesn’t test for drugs.
Another MMA fighter tainted his career when he submitted a fake urine sample to Nevada State Athletic Commission to cover up his steroid use. This happened before his fight with Brandon Vera at UFC 125 early this year. According to the NSAC, Thiago Silva submitted a sample inconsistent with human urine. An MMA site even reported that Keith Kizer of NSAC tested the urine sample in neutralizing a jellyfish sting but it didn’t work.
Thiago Silva, who is a former welterweight and lightweight champion, made a public statement confirming his violation of the NSAC rules. “We make decisions every day of our lives. Some are good and some are bad,” he said. The Nevada State Athletic Commission will impose a 1 year suspension on the UFC fighter and a fine of $33,750.
Submitting Adulterated Sample
Silva admitted that he intentionally submitted an adulterated urine sample to hide his use of steroid which is a prohibited substance in the UFC and NSAC. “I used a urine adulterant when giving a sample following my fight with Brandon Vera. I did so in an attempt to alter the results of the test and knowingly broke the rules of the Nevada Athletic Commission,” he said. Silva did not elaborate the type of substance or chemical that he used to mask the steroids in his urine. However, many MMA writers consider this move of Silva as absurd since the commission can easily detect if the sample is not genuine.
Injecting Steroids
He blamed his injury for taking steroids because he really wants to fight Brandon Vera. “I reinjured my back 45 days before the fight with Brandon Vera. After not fighting for a year, I made the decision to not pull out of the fight. I also decided that the only way I could continue with the fight was to take injections in my back and spine that contained substances prohibited by the Nevada Athletic Commission,” Silva said. According to Mike Fagan of BloodyElbow, Silva could be taking cortisone or other types of corticosteroid because anabolic steroid injection in the spine is dangerous.
Silva admitted that it is his fault. However, this will affect his career in the UFC and his admission is not a guarantee that he can come back in the octagon. Some of the fighters who are also involved in the use of anabolic steroids are having a hard time coming back.
Taking Full Responsibility
Though he realized that it was a big mistake, the fighter has no other choice but to accept any sanction that will be given by the athletic commission. “I have since learned that it may have even been possible to fight had I been open and honest and disclosed the injury and treatment prior to the fight. I also realize that not being allowed to fight as a result of the treatment would have been a better result than the mess into which I have now gotten myself,” Silva said in a statement. Let’s just hope that he will learn from his mistakes.
Thiago Silva could be facing the same fate with Josh Barnett or Chael Sonnen. Barnett had a difficult time applying for a license after his steroid suspension. Sonnen is also facing the same situation because of his previous allegation that he talked to NSAC about his testosterone therapy. And the worst is being tagged as a steroid cheat.
At last, the former 
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) claims that their sport has no problem with