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Dana White: I think TRT is great and absolutely fair.

5K views 74 replies 32 participants last post by  SideWays222 
#1 ·
“Here’s the thing about TRT. It’s absolutely 100% legal. As sports medicine continues to advance, this is one of those things where every guy’s testosterone level starts to drop as they get older and this is basically sports science now where they can bring it back up to a normal level. And I think it’s great, it’s absolutely fair, it’s legal. The problem is, there are guys who say if this much is good THIS MUCh must be great, so you have guys who are always trying to do more than they’re supposed to do. The big job is policing it, making sure that it’s not being abused, that guys are using it the way it’s supposed to be used.”

The interview has some other stuff too. Video is inside the link.

Not too long ago he was saying he would ban it if he could. I wonder why the switch.
 
#3 ·
He's exactly right, it's medicine, and it's evolution basically.

These guys in their forties like Randy Couture and Dan Henderson can still compete at the highest level, how is that wrong?
 
#6 ·
I basically agree with Dana.
My only real problem with TRT is that it seems like guys are using as much of it as possible, so that they come in with the maximum allowable levels.
I can understand if someone has lower levels than A NORMAL MALE OF THEIR AGE, but they should only be given enough to get their levls back up to the levels of A NORMAL MALE OF THEIR AGE. Not the maximum possible allowed in the sport.

Plus, I imagine it wouldn't be all that hard for someone to beat the tests if they really wanted to.
 
#11 ·
I couldn't disagree with Dana White's point nor his wording more. First of all, if as Dana puts it, "every guy's testosterone starts to drop as they get older," than isn't THAT "normal?" Having a lower testosterone level at 35 than 19 is normal. Artifically enhancing it back is not.

Plus, where does one draw the line? Humans produce growth hormones when they're younger, and those taper off to some degree as we get older. Why not start taking HGH to get those levels back? I mean c'mon. There's more holes in that argument than swiss cheese.

Everyone gets older, athletes included. Artificially extending a competitor's career life is still just that: artificial. To me it defeats a major purpose of martial arts and taints the sport. My 2 cents.
 
#19 ·
But you have to realize that humans also didnt used to live to the age they do now a days (Because of MEDICINE). ALL the medicine we take is to upset the natural order of things. So its because of medicine we get to a "unnatural" age and lose so much testosterone in the first place. So now we are just balancing with medicine what we unbalanced with medicine in the first place.

You cant pick and choose what medicine is okay or not okay or whats natural and what isnt natural. Its either all okay or none of it is okay. A guy taking caugh medicine can in turn help his performance come game time because he isnt sick.

The focus should be on increasing the testing and making sure the testosterone is within the limits OR maybe even lowering the maximum allowed testosterone.
 
#14 ·
As long as theyre pissing clean according to fair, reasonable guidelines I dont care what they do.


If i was fighting at the highest level, I'd probably go to Sinai hospital and get my limbs lengthened to gain an advantage, so maybe my opinion is a jaded one.
 
#15 ·
For what it's worth, Timothy Bradley said he had never even heard of TRT when they asked him about it during one of his work outs.
 
#26 ·
One of the reasons I am against steroid use is because it allegedly is bad for your health, and I don't really know what is truth or fiction about all this, but if it's bad for the fighters health short or long term then I agree it should be prohibited.

TRT again I have no idea on how it affects fighters health long term or even short, if it is harmless and strictly beneficial and every fighter uses it I wouldn't have a problem. Just like any fighter taking vitamins or protein shakes.

But my feeling is TRT is probably harmful, that you can have probably have too much testosterone, and that fighters will try to abuse the rules around it - but they can do that anyway, making it legal and something tested for to a certain standard is something I don't find disagreeable, unless using it within the given amounts of the rules is actually bad for the body in some way.
 
#27 ·
One of the reasons I am against steroid use is because it allegedly is bad for your health, and I don't really know what is truth or fiction about all this, but if it's bad for the fighters health short or long term then I agree it should be prohibited.

TRT again I have no idea on how it affects fighters health long term or even short, if it is harmless and strictly beneficial and every fighter uses it I wouldn't have a problem. Just like any fighter taking vitamins or protein shakes.

But my feeling is TRT is probably harmful, that you can have probably have too much testosterone, and that fighters will try to abuse the rules around it - but they can do that anyway, making it legal and something tested for to a certain standard is something I don't find disagreeable, unless using it within the given amounts of the rules is actually bad for the body in some way.
Yes, as with all medication there are certain side effects. The dose makes the poison.

Most steroids share a group of side effects like infertility, skin irritations (acne, rashes), mood changes (for better or worse), prostate cancer, negative effects on sleep apnae and raising your hematocrit which can be dangerous in itself.

Usually there is no danger for people who actually suffer from hypogonadism. So... how many of these professional athletes in their 30s do you think suffer from actual hypogonadism?

The thought of every fighter being free to use TRT makes me sick to my stomach...
 
#28 ·
Makes no difference to me either way, but I find it funny how so many people think there is a difference between TRT and Steroids. TRT is a Steroid, it is Testosterone. Would come as Ethanate, Cypionate, or Propionate. All are the exact same as you would take if you wanted to go on a cycle. They are manufactured by the same companies under some circumstances. The Only difference is, one is given to you by a Doctor and deemed legal. And of course you would pay thousands of dollars. Even though you can buy a 10cc vial for $45 on the black market.
 
#33 ·
I'm not totally against it. If you need it bad. But I have a hard time believing this many guys (and ever growing) actually really need TRT. Fighters abuse the system.

And isn't it something that is associated with previous roid use? As in many people use TRT if they are trying to come off of roids?

Either way it is a joke that something natural like cannabis is not allowed and suspended for. Yet synthetic testosterone is perfectly fine.

Odd world we live in. And the guy talking about drug companies is right. They are not here to help people, but rather give half assed medicine that leaves you needing more and more. Ultimately trying to make as much money as they possibly can.
 
#35 ·
I say let them take whatever they want. Whether this sport is accepted by the "mainstream" makes absolutely no difference to me. The mainstream is loaded with morons that don't deserve to live anyway.

The NFL has gone downhill from the early 90's as it has became more popular and more about protecting certain players and positions. It used to be hard hitting, exciting, and about the toughest team. Now it's about the fastest receivers and which QB can get rid of the ball the quickest.

The NBA is little more than a competitive And1 tournament with all the dribbling, traveling, and dunk attempts. Star players are rarely called for fouls, traveling, and shoot a dozen free throws a game.

I want to see the baddest mothereffers out there competing in MMA for as long as they can safely fight. In closing, I would also like to look like this when I am in my 60's and should be dead.

 
#37 ·
Dana is a well informed person. If he's backing it, there must be some credibility to the treatment.

I personally didn't care beforehand and I think if Chael never abused TRT we wouldn't even be having this conversation. One person can ruin it for everyone.
 
#39 ·
If TRT is prescribed-it's not cheating. If they have regular checks and they're within the threshold-TRT is not cheating. If they contact a doctor with concerns of their testosterone level and treatment is granted to raise it-TRT is not teaching.

If a fighter meets these criteria, I could care less if they're using it!

don't get me wrong, if young fighters in their early twenties start using it I will certainly raise my eyebrow at why they need it at that age.

But guys like Forrest, Mir and Hendo are guys who have been pushing themselves to the limit for some years now.
 
#40 ·
Doctors don't care if your levels are normal or low. TRT is not dangerous per se so if you really want it you'll get the prescription. There are lots of doctors who don't see the patient but big dollar signs. There have been some infamous doctors in the past who actively helped athletes cheat (Michele Ferrari is probably the most popular case). Doping means $$$ for doctors.

edit: obviously I'm generalizing here.
____________

I still refuse to believe that so many athletes in their 30s suffer from hypogonadism. These are men in their physical prime or slightly beyond it, not some senior citizens who need a crutch. Most hypogonadism patients are above the age of 50. The chances that so many young guys suddenly have low T after one guy (Sonnen) made the treatment famous in MMA are very, very slim. People have to realize that hypogonadism is not that common a condition for young people. 20% of men older than 60 years and 30% to 40% of men older than 80 years get it. If you read these forums you could come to the conclusion that 100% of people over 40 suffer from it. Well, they don't. Hypogonadism in people in their 30s is so low that there are not even numbers for it.

If we allow TRT in sports we might as well allow other hormone replacements. HGH, DHEA and EPO are all produced naturally in your body but the production slows down the older a person gets. Do we really want to open up this possibility? Doesn't that go against everything a sport is supposed to be?
 
#43 · (Edited)
Since watching MMA and following the general online community for some time, it's occurred to me that most fans either:

A) Only watch MMA and don't hardly ever watch any other high level sports (therefore are not really educated in general sporting competition)

B) Treat MMA as more of an entertainment programme, rather than an actual legitimate sport (mainly cross over WWE fans have this view).

The essence of mixed martial arts as a sport, and a tradition, is watching one athlete compete against another athlete and using nothing but their natural abilities and skills to earn the win and over come their opponent.

When you're using "medicines" (lol) such as TRT, then it defeats the purpose of the actual competiton for me.

The day that TRT becomes a widely accepted issue in MMA and every other athlete is openly using it, then I will stop watching this sport. Seeing as though in my opinion it ceases to become an actual sport, but just an entertainment product, much like the WWE.

And for the record, TRT is not a medicine, it is a drug. Getting older, becoming weaker an slowing down isn't an "illness", it is a natural part of life and happens to every human being on the planet.
 
#44 ·
And for the record, TRT is not a medicine, it is a drug. Getting older, becoming weaker an slowing down isn't an "illness", it is a natural part of life and happens to every human being on the planet.
Umm... just for my understanding... it might just be a little language barrier but... aren't they the same thing? Because I've been using meds and drugs as synonyms. :confused05:
 
#58 ·
And for the record, TRT is not a medicine, it is a drug. Getting older, becoming weaker an slowing down isn't an "illness", it is a natural part of life and happens to every human being on the planet.
Absolutely wrong. Men all over the United States have been showing a non-natural steady decline in testosterone. Yes we are supposed to slow down, but not this fast. Its an alarming issue. An issue that comes from the use of BPA products, soy products, estrogen compounds in the water supply from the urination of females on the birth control pill, and various other chemical factors from our society. This sharp decline in the past 50 years is not supposed to be happening. Doing everything we can to prevent it is perfectly acceptable.
 
#72 ·
Forget the counter side-effects, what about the direct side effects? TRT will sterilize so many men taking it, and even more indirectly through the water supply. The pill is already causing so many fertility and hormonal/mood/libido problems for women when they actually choose to start a family.
Look at the bright side! No Chael Juniors!
 
#64 ·
Why you guys waste your time arguing this is is beyond me, Bisping hit the nail on the head back in the vid he was in with Rashad and whatnot.

It is not fair for a guy in his 40's to have the same testosterone level as a guy in his 20's. The reasoning is that the 40 year old is the more experienced fighter, and the more experienced martial arts practitioner; giving a 40 year old the testosterone of a 20 year old creates a disadvantage for the younger, less experienced martial artist.
 
#68 ·
While I could care less what these dummies put in their bodies, it's without a doubt unfair to these younger athletes to tell them "oh well, too bad you don't qualify for the pawpaw juice yet". Then expect them to face one of these old lions knowing good and well their one distinct advantage over the veteran is moot... This will create too much grey area and room for shady folks like Fhael Sonnen to attempt to cheat the system. Either let them all take it or nobody. Don't preach to me about fairness and equality through separation please. That's an old, stinky dead horse that deserves to stay buried thanks.:confused05:
 
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