"Steroids - Should You or Shouldn't You?"
(originally published at MMA Weekly.com)

This week's article isn't going to be a training related piece. Rather, it's going to be a slight editorial . . .

As you now know (and if you don't, go back about a week and read all the news you've missed), current UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia tested positive for steroid use after his title defense at UFC 44 against Gan McGee. Internet forums have been ablaze with the topic of steroids, and various MMA journalists have already weighed in on the issue in online articles.

Everywhere you look, there is an opinion on steroids. Those opinions range from "Everybody uses them, so it's Ok" to "You should never use them, so ban Sylvia for life." While my feelings on the matter are not of one extreme or the other, I can see both sides. That doesn't mean I agree, but I can sympathize with the point of view.

My own view is "What's the point?" Yes, you read that correctly -"What's the point?" Right about now, I'm sure a bunch of you are out there saying, "Well, Wiggy, they help you get stronger, they help you get faster, they dramatically decrease recovery time, etc." And the list can go on. Yeah, yeah - I know all that. But let me explain myself.

I was once watching a documentary on TV about Top Gun - the United States Air Force's (USAF) top-notch flight school for all their elite pilots. Top Gun is sort of like the USAF's version of the Navy SEALs or Army Rangers - they are the best in the world at what they do. During this documentary, the subject of "dogfighting" came up. (For those who don't know, "dogfighting" is when two fighter pilots flying fighter jets engage in air-to-air combat.) A flight instructor was being interviewed, and when asked about dogfighting, his reply was basically that dogfighting was not much different now than it was 60 years ago in WWII. The gentleman giving the interview was astounded. He contended that planes were much faster now, pilots were much better trained, and that technology was much more advanced. How could there be no changes?

The instructor replied, "Simple - virtually all big nations have this kind of technology (or can buy it). Therefore, nobody has an advantage. If I'm flying a jet that can go 700 mph, and you're flying a jet that is only capable of 600 mph, then I have a faster jet. I have an advantage. But, if your jet can fly just as fast as mine can, then we're back at zero. I don't care if you're flying 100 mph or 1000 mph, if both planes can both do it, they're both at zero. It's then up to the pilot's ability."

Let's switch gears for a second and discuss the subject of weight cutting in fighting or wrestling. The idea behind this is to lose a good deal of (mostly) water weight before a fight or wrestling match. By doing this, the fighter weighs in lighter, can compete in a division/weight class with smaller competitors. After the weigh-ins, the fighter then re-hydrates himself, gaining the weight he cut back. Why - because then he has a weight advantage over his opponent. And the more you cut, the better off you can be. For example, if you normally weigh 185 - 190 lbs., and you can cut 15-20 lbs. of water weight, you could compete as a Welterweight (weight 156-170 lbs) in an MMA match. But if you didn't cut, you'd have to fight as a Light Heavyweight (weight 186-205 lbs.). But cutting weight, this gives you an advantage of two whole weight classes.

Now, if only you were cutting weight, you'd have an advantage. But, more than likely, your opponent is cutting weight as well. So, when it's all over, there are two 190 lbs. guys fighting in the Welterweight division instead of two 190 lbs. guys fighting in the Light Heavyweight division. It sounds awkward, but it's completely feasible. So now the question isn't necessarily who come into the match in the best shape, it's who can cut the most weight. And many fighters are going to very drastic - and dangerous - measures to do so. This is so much so that they're doing much more harm than good.

I think you can see where I'm going with this. If "Everybody uses steroids," then nobody has an advantage - it comes down to a fighter's ability. However, this isn't enough. Like cutting weight, fighters are going to more and more levels of drug use (steroids, clenbuterol, HGH, etc.) to get an advantage. These guys are going to do more harm to their bodies. Now, I'm sure that while MMA has its steroid and drug use, it's certainly not as abused or rampant as other sports. But, as MMA continues to grow, so will its drug use.

Why not put a stop to it now before it gets out of hand? Why not put in very strict regulations with even stricter penalties? Why not have the fighters rely on their own hard work and abilities instead of advantages that drugs can give?

Now, do I think that Tim Sylvia should be crucified? Certainly not - I think he experimented, realized he screwed up, and is genuinely sorry that he ever took them. Should he be punished? Of course. How bad? Hard to say. Enough so that he will not use again, and it will dissuade others from wanting to try it.

You see, while ideally I'd like to see drugs eliminated from MMA, I also don't have my head in the clouds. I realize this is most likely never going to happen. So instead of crossing my fingers, closing my eyes, and wishing for it to happen, I have to be realistic.

If you decide that you NEED (for whatever excuse you come up with) to use steroids, then at least be smart about it. Do some research - find out what the drug you're looking at taking does. Know how it affects your body. Be aware of all possible side effects - both short term and long term. Research what the proper dosages are. Ensure that the drugs you get are "clean" and not contaminated. Be sure to cycle off the drug. In other words, USE YOUR FRIGGIN' HEAD. You've already made a decision that can have a seriously detrimental affect on your hobby, career, and livelihood. Make sure your decision doesn't also have a seriously detrimental affect on your health as well.

Train Hard, Rest Hard, Play Hard.