NikosCC

Lightweight contender Kenny Florian has gone on record to the Boston Herald to discuss the recent positive steroid test’s by Hermes Franca and champion Sean Sherk have not only turned the UFC’s lightweight division into a scramble but has also brought attention to MMA’s steorid policies.

Florian, who was defeated by Sherk at UFC 64 last October, recently went on the record to talk about what the UFC should do to quell steroid and drug use in mixed martial arts:

Quote:

“As a fan and representative of MMA, it’s disappointing because we are trying to gain those mainstream fans. Obviously you have other sports with steroid allegations. For us, it’s that much more important to keep controversy out of our sport. We don’t need any more black eyes.

I’m all for random testing. Across the board - all season long. I’m all for doing it every month and randomly. That would be great.”

The idea of true random tests which would take place both at events and during training, has been perhaps the most talked about proposal in the days since the news of the dual steroid tests broke earlier this month. Florian is the first UFC fighter to jump on to the plan and endorse what many MMA fans and journalists feel is necessary to keep the integrity of the sport intact.

Florian added this when discussing the issue of steroids in a growing sport like mixed martial arts:

Quote:

“Overall steroid use in general is something that a lot of people are using in all sports. There’s allegations in tennis. A lot of people say marathon runners are some of the biggest users. But, again, as we start to get more formalized and established (in the mainstream), we need to realize there are people out there - kids - who watch us and say Joe Schmoe is using, why shouldn’t I. It’s a vicious circle of cutting corners. All the questions about our hard work will start. It’s not isolated to MMA, it’s happened across the board.

I know I’ve fought guys that have been using, and I’ve beaten them. A lot is mental comfort, I guess. Maybe it helps them train harder, I don’t really know. Hopefully we can cut it out all together by doing random testing.”

In the article Florian also questions whether Sean Sherk may have been on steroids when he defeated Florian in their fight last year. This calls to mind another issue which is consistent testing. Because MMA sanctioning is done at the state level and not by a federal comission the standards for drug testing vary greatly from states which require all fighters to be tested, those which do a random test on a limited group of fighters, and those who do not require drug tests at all.

Quite simply if the state commissions do not adopt consistent and strict drug testing rules across the board the UFC needs to take responsibility and foot the small bill to make sure all fighters are tested for performance enhancing drugs each and every time they step into the octagon and possibly even more often to ensure fair competition, fighter safety, and the integrity of a sport that is still so vulnerable.

Florian Goes On The Record To Support Random Drug Tests | UFC Daily

__________________

SuzukS

Good, the UFC needs to also test during training. Just randomly show up anytime during a fighters training and have an on the spot test, because there's a fair chance a few fighters take roids during training and lay off them a month before the fight to avoid getting caught..

__________________

j.farrell

Steroids are for P-ussies.

__________________


Ground and Pound Drilling..http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...72196009&hl=en

jasvll

'Small bill?' Over $1,000 per test is not a small bill, not to mention the fact that completely solving the problem in the UFC doesn't solve the problem.

__________________

WarHERO

With all that green that Dana has, he can spend a couple grand for some drug test.

__________________

jasvll

How much green does Dana have?

And it would be obviously more than 'a couple grand.'

__________________

The Fetus

A grand a test is no big deal for a company thats bringing in the multi millions that UFC does every month.


They can easily seperate 50-60 grand every months from their millions in profits from PPV buy's, attendence, merchandise, advertisers, sponsorships, ect. and it wouldn't hurt them at all. So for 600-720 grand a year they can test 50-60 of there guy's every month, plus all the test done by the Athletic Commissions. Hell they can easily recroup that cost in one PPV. It will probably be even less since they probably don't even have 50-60 guy's at any one time.


It seems like a good investment to me.

WarHERO

I know it would be more than a couple grand, but with Dana's rich ass, its not like he can't afford it.

__________________

jasvll

Have you considered the costs associated with producing the UFC's product?


You don't know whether they are profitable or not.

Would you like me to make up an accounting scenario that 'proves' you wrong?

Have you also failed to consider that the already 'underpaid' lower card fighters will be the first to suffer from this reallocation of funds?


It does, really? You have no idea if Zuffa is profitable or not. Assuming they are, you have no idea how much of that revenue is being reinvested into the company to support the UFC's growth rate in the US, expansion into international markets, and acquisition of new talent.

You call it a good investment, but what, exactly, is the ROI? Do you think that there is anyone that wants to pay to watch MMA, but is just waiting until it's clean? Do you think that public perception about steroid use in UFC will change when the UFC implements a 'wellness program?' (ask WWE how that went) Do you think raising the cost to consumers and/or cutting employee pay is going to increase revenue?

Have you considered that the testing could place the UFC in a culpable position?

I honestly don't see how the UFC implementing a testing program benefits anyone. It won't change public perception. It won't end steroid use in MMA. It will raise costs which invariably affect employees, consumers, or both. It has the UFC taking responsibility for something that the government has already asserted authority over. Solving the problem won't increase revenue, as every other steroid scandal has shown, and may even decrease revenue, if other sports organization's reluctance to clean up their sport and in turn, decrease player performance seems to suggest.

The only reason I can see for the UFC to implement this program is to appease those asking for it.

Translation:
'I have no idea, but I won't let a lack of knowledge stop me from telling other people how to run their business.'

__________________

jasvll

For those interested, here's an interview with those that made steroid use in MMA against the rules in the first place:
http://www.mmaforum.com/ufc-discussi...ekly-long.html

__________________