In mma and any professional sport in the world today, there lies a monumental controversy of performance enhancing drugs. Testosterone and Epitestosterone are such examples of this debate. The UFC allows the use of this drug to a certain extent. But, as many athletes do, mma fighters sometimes step over the boundaries and push the limits of this replacement therapy. However, when an athlete does abuse this privilege, they must suffer the consequences.
This exact scenario happened with Alistair Overeem. Overeem was slated to fight the heavyweight champion in UFC 146. However, due to a random drug testing, it was discovered that “The Demolition Man” registered as having more than double of the legal limit of Testosterone and Epitestosterone. Overeem received a drug suspension from the UFC, and must reapply for his license by the end of December.
Some competitors are not as enthusiastic about Overeem coming back to the octagon. The champion believes Overeem does not even deserve a title fight. Junior Dos Santos was quoted:
“I am champion and never have used anything and I am proud to say that. It is unfair to use substances, with or without authorization it makes a difference. A fighter who can do this kind of treatment is not himself in the Octagon. They are using tricks to improve your performance. We want to see who the real champion is, not a champion of a lie.”
I believe Dos Santos is correct in his judgment. All Overeem on Testosterone proves is just that: how good Overeem performs while on Testosterone. It does not measure how good of a fighter Overeem is and his ability to fight, but merely his ability to fight with the assistance of these drugs. I believe the UFC and the Nevada State Athletic Commission should out rule the use of any enhancement drugs. Period. In order for a fighter to be champion, they need to fight like a champion. Using performance enhancing drugs does not prove you are the best of the best; it proves the drugs you are taking are the best of the best.
By: Elise Kapala