"Melvin Guillard Drug Use = Ok?"
(originally published at MMA Weekly.com)

Before I start this column, I just want to re-iterate one thing - this article will express MY OPINIONS. My opinions are in no way, shape, or form the opinions of MMA Weekly.com, or anybody associated with MMA Weekly. These are just MY opinions.

That said...

A few weeks ago, UFC Lightweight fighter Melvin Guillard tested positive for cocaine use. He was subsequently suspended by the NSAC for eight months.

Unfortunately, this is not a new trend in MMA. Though Guillard's positive test has been the most recent and for what many might consider the most "hardcore" drug, it is by no means the first time a professional MMA fighter has tested positive. Nick Diaz, Diego Sanchez, and Joe Pearson have all tested for marijuana. Tim Sylvia, Josh Barnett, Stephan Bonnar, Kit Cope, and Vitor Belfort have all tested positive for steroids. Kevin Randleman was suspended by the NSAC for providing fake urine for his drug test, due to his taking banned painkillers and antibiotics for a severe lung infection he was battling. Mark Kerr's various drug addictions were well documented in his documentary, "The Smashing Machine."

Whether we like it or not, drug use - both "performance enhancing" and "recreational" - is increasing among fighters. Some might be a one-time mistake, as Melvin Guillard convinced the NSAC was his case. Others might be a terrible addiction, as we all watched Mark Kerr battle. Others might be just to stay alive, as was with Kevin Randleman. Right or wrong, liked or disliked - drug use - at some level - is here.

Everytime a fighter tests positive, the internet forums are ablaze with discussion. "Did XX drug help him win?" "Is XX fighter Ok?" "How long will XX fighter be suspended?" "That's BS! XX drug isn't that bad! It shouldn't even be illegal!" and more.

There has been a lot of conversation - praise, criticism, and uncaring - about how drug testing is being done. According to MMA Weekly's Ivan Trembow (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=3919), only 6 of the 18 fighters at Ultimate Fight Night 9 (where Guillard tested positive) were tested. There were no tests at UFC 69 or 70. Why? Because the tests at UFN 9 were conducted, as all tests are, by the state athletic commission (the NSAC in this case). UFCs 69 and 70 were in Houston, TX and Manchester, England. The NSAC certainly can't test there, and the ruling athletic commissions at either event didn't test.

So, should the UFC - or any other professional MMA organization for that matter - do its own testing? Some feel yes. Others feel no.

What ends up being a large topic of interest and conversation are the drugs themselves. I remember reading many internet forum threads literally laughing at suspending Nick Diaz. He tested positive for marijuana after upsetting Gomi in Pride. The consensus was that Diaz should have a more lenient punishment than those who have tested positive for "performance enhancing" drugs such as steroids. To paraphrase a line from Robin Williams, "Those that have used marijuana find that it enhances many things - taste, colors, sounds...but PERFORMANCE certainly isn't one of them."

Steroids - now there ends up being another intersting point of discussion. They can be had, and used, medically. Prescriptions can be given for them. And, if used properly, the harmful side effects can be minimized or even eliminated. Many aruge that too many fighters are already on the juice, and using them is necessary to just "keep up."

Then there is the point of where a fighter lives. Say a Dutch fighter from Amsterdam is fighting in Las Vegas. He uses marijuana on a regular basis, because it is legal where he lives. He doesn't use it while he is in the States, but due to his consistant use, it takes too long to get out of his system, and he tests positive when he fights. Why should he be penalized for doing something legal at home, just because it's not legal where he's fighting, when he didn't do anything illegal when he was where he fought?

I've also read that drugs like marijuana and certain steroids aren't "that bad." They're not the "hardcore" drugs like cocaine, heroin, growth hormone, or prescription painkillers. So they should not be treated as harshly as the "hardcore" drugs.

Many of these issues are pretty big, and could each be discussed for too long than I care to do in this article. Here is my stance on the issue:

In America, certain drugs are illegal. Possessing, selling, using, transporting, etc. these drugs will get you in trouble. It's just simply against the law. Whether you agree or not, you're not supposed to do it. And if you do decide to possess, use, etc., and get caught, you're going to get nailed. You can't choose what laws you're going to follow, and which ones you're not.

It's sort of like driving down the street. There is a posted speed limit. You might not agree with said speed limit, and think it should be higher. So you choose to exceed that speed limit. You might get away with it a lot. But at some point, you're going to get caught in a speed-trap and that police officer is going to write you a ticket. Don't expect to get out of it just because you two disagree.

The same goes for fighting. If a commission bans a substance, then you can't have that substance in your system. If you do, and get tested, and test positive, or get caught trying to "rig" the test, you're going to get busted. It's as simple as that. And if the rules for the commission are different than the rules where you live, you better make sure you're ready to pass the rules where you're fighting. Alcohol is legal all-day long (as long as you're of age) in most of the world. Go to the middle-eastern country of Kuwait with a bottle of whiskey, and they'll put you in jail so fast it'll make your head spin. Don't think that telling them "It's Ok at home" will change their minds.

I'm not going to tell you what to do or not to do. I'm not your mother, and you're old enough to make these "right or wrong" decisions for yourself. As for myself, I don't condone drug use. Never have. Never will.

However, if you do decide that you're going to use drugs - of any kind - please be careful. Investigate before hand. Know the risks. Know the source - make sure what you're getting is "clean" and actually what you think it is. Give your body a break - don't use it all the time. Just be friggin' careful...

Train Hard, Rest Hard, Play Hard.