Fighters seem to be asked pretty regularly if they believe they’ve fought someone using performance enhancing drugs. While most just roll their eyes and let you read between the lines, UFC welterweight Jake Ellenberger says we don’t need to speculate.
“I know for a fact I’ve fought guys on PEDs,” Ellenberger told Rick Lee. “I’ve had guys tell me that after the fight. I won’t say any names but you can tell. You can tell when you clinch up with somebody. Probably the biggest test is by the way they look, but I’m not going to name names. It’s very common.”
Ellenberger was 21-4 before joining the UFC’s ranks in 2009, but we know at least two of his former opponents have failed drug screenings competing in the promotion.
Although he blamed the test failure on an over the counter supplement, Nate Marquardt tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone following a unanimous decision victory over Ivan Salaverry at UFC Fight Night 1 in 2005.
In January, Jake Shields admitted to using diuretics to help him cut weight before fighting Ed Herman at UFC 150 in August 2012.
“It’s good for the sport,” Ellenberger said of the UFC’s plan to dramatically increase random drug testing. “It’s good for competition, especially when there’s heavier penalties. I think guys are going to tend to think about it a little more if that’s their only income.
“At the end of the day every professional sport has guys that are cutting corners or cheating.”
Rebounding from a split decision loss to Carlos Condit in his 2009 UFC debut, Ellenberger surged through the welterweight division winning six straight over the next two years.
Now having dropped his last three bouts in the UFC, Ellenberger says he’s ready for a return to his old ways against Josh Koscheck at UFC 184.
“The way I view the sport has changed,” said Ellenberger. “The way I view myself has changed. There’s the worst case scenario in your head and then you can actually go so much farther then where you think you can. Really not having a choice, I’ve definitely been there the last few weeks. I’ve been in absolute hell. I’ve seen some dark places in the last few weeks. It’s changed the way I view combat sports overall.
“You won’t see a nice guy Jake Ellenberger. You’ll see ‘The Juggernaut.’ You’ll see a guy who wants to leave a pool of blood. A guy who wants to leave brain matter on the post.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
MMA Beat. The panel discusses the UFC’s new drug testing procedures, the slew of big fights announced this week, Benson Henderson’s inspiring win, and much more.
‘A completely new UFC.’ Dave Meltzer explains how the UFC’s renewed initiative to combat PED use will change the sport.
Clean. UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and No. 1 contender Cat Zingano have passed their random, out-of-competition drug tests and have been cleared compete at UFC 184 by the California State Athletic Commission.
‘I think that they should get paid more than the ring girls.’ Ronda Rousey takes aim at the UFC’s ring girls while answering questions about fighter pay. ‘I have a comparison with how I was treated as an Olympian to how I’m treated as a UFC fighter and I always feel like I’m just so lucky to work with a company that I feel like actually cares.’
Trouble. A WWE doctor is suing CM Punk for more than $1 million in a defamation case after comments the wrestler made on a podcast.
MEDIA STEW
Rousey talks PEDs and lifetime bans for repeat offenders.
Vitor Belfort has fun stories.
Ronda’s coach says she could out-box Holly Holm.
Roy Nelson and Antonio Silva are teaming up.
Luke Rockhold talks Millionaire Matchmaker.
Two Schaub requests in one day. Lord help me.
Long watches.
UFC Fight Night: Mir vs Bigfoot Care/Don’t Care Preview + UFC drug policies
TWEETS
Silva speaks.
IN RESPECT TO MY FANS
I will not say anything about who I am or what I went through to get here.
What matters to me now is the respect from those who have followed my career.
I bled, struggled and fought because I love it and because I always wanted to honor the flag of the country I love so much.
I don’t know what to apologize for, because I am still waiting for the results and analysis from the specialists that are working to reveal the truth.
Everything that I took since my injury are being analyzed. I look for the truth as much as all those who were surprised with the results. I always played clean, I was never a cheater.
In eighteen years of my career, I never had a problem with exams.
In and out of the Octagon I never slipped in compliance with the principles that always guided me. With much honor and dignity I defended my country where ever I fought.
I never used any substances to better my performance in my fights.
I love what I do and I would never risk what I took so long to build.
I think that the hurry some people have to condemn me is unfair.
The time it takes to destroy a reputation is infinitely less than that is taken to build it.
I am the one who is most eager to settle this situation.
I want those who have always supported me to know that I am still fighting for all the sad happenings of this situation to be cleared.
Fun lead-up.
I’m just a simple guy from mountains , who will show bird’s-eye view in the octagon for damned alcoholics #eagleairlines
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 19, 2015
Just posted a photo http://t.co/WYZavq5vDs
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) February 19, 2015
Congrats.
Yesterday was a big day for one of my friends who finally got his well-deserved title shot. Congrats Rory! Can’t wait to see that fight!
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) February 19, 2015
@ruthless_rl and I signing our new 2 year contracts with @adidascombatusa #adidasMMA @scottviscomi http://t.co/9EKIDFsuAp
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) February 19, 2015
Thank u everyone @cultgathering and to everyone I met today and all the kind words. I appreciate it!! I love Canada pic.twitter.com/Mqf1CFUDEX
— Dana White (@danawhite) February 20, 2015
Alright.
RT @AriannyCeleste: @GBTRU pretty positive we don’t get paid more than fighters. I work my ass off … http://t.co/SPEixwO45M
— Arianny Celeste (@AriannyCeleste) February 19, 2015
Interesting.
It awesome having another veteran of the sport at @TeamAlphaMale to train! @clayguida is the man.
— Lance Palmer (@LancePalmer) February 19, 2015
50 Shades Of Clay. @clayguida @WildWild145 pic.twitter.com/HstYPDkonJ
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) February 20, 2015
Wrasslin with bellator Champ and world champ wrestler Joe Warren, what a badass . @teamalphamale @ufc… http://t.co/c75d2VVLC1
— Richy Walsh MMA (@RichyMMA) February 17, 2015
TBT.
#TBT Zingano was here…two!!@ufc #thetimeisnow #ufc184 pic.twitter.com/WmevSvMboB
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) February 19, 2015
#tbt with Mr. And Mrs. Bush in 92 at the #whitehouse after the #Olympics! #mullet #wrestli… http://t.co/ThtDSFsw1F pic.twitter.com/hJwc3pjbhy
— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) February 20, 2015
This Week in Struggle.
Just had an Asian lady walking up and down my back for the last hour.
— michael (@bisping) February 18, 2015
Look at what you did @danawhite, you made my friends and fans wait so long they had to entertain themselves @ufc pic.twitter.com/rz3syuRPOX
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) February 19, 2015
Fuuuuuuuu**. Car determined to be totaled. Rest in Peace, Cricket. My first new car
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) February 19, 2015
That face you make when after getting your butt kicked all morning during sparring #fighterproblems #goodmorning pic.twitter.com/VTrO6kS7v0
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) February 19, 2015
#thestruggleisreal pic.twitter.com/NXcKiNB8Rg
— ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) February 19, 2015
Damn some almonds, protein bars, coconut water and tea came out to like $30….eating healthy is expensive 🙁
— Roger Narvaez (@Silverback316) February 20, 2015
#Nipples ?? pic.twitter.com/9N4LbeqxvB
— Ashlee Evans-Smith (@AshleeMMA1) February 20, 2015
Headed to Brazil 2morrow. @sonnench told me they don’t have Internet, toilet paper, good fighters, cars, or manners. Should be fun.
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) February 17, 2015
And fuck both you guys!!! I don’t need any pitty followers @stipemiocicufc @ChrisWeidmanUFC
— Gian Villante (@GPVillante) February 19, 2015
My little sister came with me to the gym. She said she wanted to make sure I didn’t lose again pic.twitter.com/of5xbWvikf
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) February 18, 2015
If your ever bored at a crowed restaurant ask the table next to you how to spell clomidia
— Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) February 16, 2015
My heat isn’t working again. Plz send firewood and hard alcohol
— Peggy Morgan (@peggymorganmma) February 18, 2015
A lot of people pissin me off & my Patience wearing thin. Just signs I need to get back to being in camp focused on a fight and less bored.
— Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) February 20, 2015
When your Mom dropped you as a baby pic.twitter.com/jpRvo5gJVH
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 20, 2015
The trust rate went down when iPhone created screenshots
— Raquel Pa’aluhi (@RaquelPaaluhi) February 19, 2015
Hey guys yea there will be news very soon…..and I’ve been asked nicely if we could stop harassing UFC and the matchmaker
— Joanne Calderwood (@DRkneevil) February 18, 2015
Recovery @checkdefense #oxyhealth http://t.co/2CxA2RAhnN
— Josh Koscheck (@JoshKoscheck) February 20, 2015
In my best @KevinHart4real impersonation “I waaasssnnntt reeeaaadddyyyyyy” pic.twitter.com/N0QypziPdL
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) February 20, 2015
I thought pugs were supposed to be cute. This looks like an alien slowly dying on my couch… http://t.co/YesB4WD585 pic.twitter.com/8Bvjd7phYH
— michael (@bisping) February 16, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Feb. 20 2015)
Joe Condon vs. Nick Newell at World Series of Fighting 20
Jake Heun vs. Teddy Holder at World Series of Fighting 19
Timur Valiev vs. Ed West at World Series of Fighting 19
185 Krasimir Mladenov vs. Clifford Starks at World Series of Fighting 19
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via tigerlee.
The Outsiders: Top 25 Flyweights Outside the UFC…yeah, pretty much just the UFC
While most of the best talent is under the UFC, there are still plenty of fighters yet to be signed by the top promotions of the MMA food chain. These are not necessarily ‘free agents’ or even prospects, they are top 100 ranked fighters who are navigating the nebulous seas of regional and international fight promotion for whatever reason.
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.