The MMA world has courted Ronda Rousey as the new face of women’s MMA, but it would be foolish to completely write off Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, who was once considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
After testing positive for steroids in January, Santos was stripped of her Strikeforce title and pretty much obliterated from the minds of fans.
There are plenty of major male MMA stars such as Josh Barnett, Stephan Bonnar and Chael Sonnen who test positive for steroids, but yet, they never seem to come under the same scrutiny as Santos.
Perhaps this is because Santos is the first major female MMA star to ever test positive for steroids, but the issue at hand far exceeds double standards. Santos was suspended for one calendar year. She wasn’t expelled or banished from the sport.
People have a tendency to overestimate the effectiveness of steroids on a fighter’s actual skill. Steroids didn’t turn Santos into a world-class striker and grappler. If such a magic pill or shot existed, MMA would be overrun by athletes doping up to take their skills to the next level.
This in no way excuses Santos’ behavior. As a professional and role model in the sport, she violated the rules and sought out performance-enhancing drugs.
Fans will likely come down harder on her due to her ripped physique and brutish fighting style. There are very few women built like Santos, who mirrors the size of an average UFC male featherweight.
Still, it’s a bit far-fetched to believe Santos has been using steroids throughout her entire career. In a statement issued through MMAprime.tv, the former Strikeforce champion apologized to fans and gave reasoning behind her decision to seek out steroids.
I would like to sincerely apologize to Strikeforce, the Zuffa organization, Hiroko Yamanaka and my fans for my failed drug test. While I was preparing myself for my last fight I was having a difficult time cutting weight and used a dietary supplement that I was assured was safe and not prohibited from use in sports competition.
It was never my intention to obtain an unfair advantage over Hiroko, mislead Strikeforce, the commission or my fans. I train harder than any fighter in MMA and do not need drugs to win in the cage, and I have proven this time and time again.
Whether fans believe her or not, it isn’t like Santos is going to be some shriveled up, untalented scrub when she returns. She’s still going to be exceptionally strong and the most dangerous striker in women’s MMA.
If anything, a year gives her more time to adjust to a potential drop to 135 pounds.
Rousey proved her bite was just as bad as her bark against Miesha Tate, but against “Cyborg,” the “Rowdy” one could be biting off more than she can chew.
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