Full Contact Fighter Database

Home

>

News

>

Article

Media

Sunday, Mar 17, 2013

Opinion: GSP’s Welcoming of Olympic Style PED Testing

Georges St. Pierre

By Michael Hatamoto

After a dominant five-round performance against Nick Diaz in the UFC 158 main event, welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre discussed performance enhancing drug use in MMA.

Here is what the French-Canadian champion had to say during the post-fight press conference:

“(I) never took steroids in my life.  I’m for Olympic testing in my sport.  I’m up to do the test for the Olympic test.  I have no problem with that.  I’m not a cheater – never cheated in my sport.  And I think TRT – I’m against TRT.  I’m against all (of) this.  If you want my opinion, you can test me any time, no problem.  I’m for the testing.  I think it should be more regulated.”

UFC President Dana White obviously doesn’t condone the use of PEDs, but for the longest time, he didn’t necessarily have a clear statement regarding the topic.

It’s time for athletic commissions to invite outside agencies – and it should be at the UFC’s expense – with more fighters and fans speaking out about the current state of PED use.

GSP isn’t the only fighter hoping more stringent drug tests will be implemented in the near future.

UFC lightweight champion Ben Henderson has spoken out for increased PED testing in MMA, saying he wants to “keep the playing field even” among all fighters.  Furthermore, Bendo said he’s open to blood testing and random testing – which would make significantly harder for fighters to cheat – unless they utilize a systematic blood doping regiment.

Let’s face it:  Whether it’s AC-sanctioned TRT use, or abusing banned substances, there are fighters stepping into the UFC octagon after using substances designed to give them an unfair advantage.

I agree with both GSP and Bendo regarding increased testing, as it’s become obvious that some form of blood testing – or random testing – needs to be utilized in MMA.  There are too many loopholes opening the door for cheaters, though athletic commissions say increased testing might be too cost prohibitive.

After a dominant five-round performance against Nick Diaz in the UFC 158 main event, welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre discussed performance enhancing drug use in MMA.

Here is what the French-Canadian champion had to say during the post-fight press conference:

“(I) never took steroids in my life.  I’m for Olympic testing in my sport.  I’m up to do the test for the Olympic test.  I have no problem with that.  I’m not a cheater – never cheated in my sport.  And I think TRT – I’m against TRT.  I’m against all (of) this.  If you want my opinion, you can test me any time, no problem.  I’m for the testing.  I think it should be more regulated.”

UFC President Dana White obviously doesn’t condone the use of PEDs, but for the longest time, he didn’t necessarily have a clear statement regarding the topic.

It’s time for athletic commissions to invite outside agencies – and it should be at the UFC’s expense – with more fighters and fans speaking out about the current state of PED use.

GSP isn’t the only fighter hoping more stringent drug tests will be implemented in the near future.

UFC lightweight champion Ben Henderson has spoken out for increased PED testing in MMA, saying he wants to “keep the playing field even” among all fighters.  Furthermore, Bendo said he’s open to blood testing and random testing – which would make significantly harder for fighters to cheat – unless they utilize a systematic blood doping regiment.

Let’s face it:  Whether it’s AC-sanctioned TRT use, or abusing banned substances, there are fighters stepping into the UFC octagon after using substances designed to give them an unfair advantage.

I agree with both GSP and Bendo regarding increased testing, as it’s become obvious that some form of blood testing – or random testing – needs to be utilized in MMA.  There are too many loopholes opening the door for cheaters, though athletic commissions say increased testing might be too cost prohibitive.

posted by FCF Staff @ 3:43 pm
Have a comment about this story? Please share with us by filling out the fields below.

Comments are closed.