Issue 123

December 2014

ANDERSON SAYS STEROID CHEATS SHOULD BE BANNED FROM FIGHTING

Beloved former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva recently blasted fighters caught using steroids, saying they shouldn’t be allowed to compete again.

Speaking to media at a press conference in Brazil to promote his planned January 2015 superfight with fellow striker Nick Diaz, the 39-year-old was quoted as saying he’s in favor of stiffer penalties for performance-enhancing drug (PED) offenders. Currently, those found guilty are usually suspended for a year and fined a percentage of their fight purse.

“When the guys test (positive) for the steroids, (they should have) no more fights,” the former pound-for-pound king was reported as saying. “When you use the steroids, you use them for a long time. When you use the steroids for a long time, you have a problem. It’s a drug and it’s not good for the sport.”

Noting that he wasn’t concerned about the effect on him but rather on mixed martial arts, ‘The Spider’ added: “(Steroids) make the sport bad. If you do the sport in a good light, you have a good life. That is my opinion.”

FO SCORE: Silva’s anti-PED stance is no surprise, but the severity of his suggested punishment is. However, the striker has always been a man who appears to follow the foundations of traditional martial arts such as honor and respect for one’s opponent, neither of which match with the practice of doping.

6

The UFC employs a six-man team to fight against the pirating of its live broadcasts.

448m

Apparently UFC television programming is available to more than 448 million people in Asia.

WHAT'S HOT

DILLASHAW VS. CRUZ

The footwork will be so fast in this 135lb title clash that we might need to watch in slow motion to keep up

BRANDON HALSEY

Could we be looking at the next ‘Breakthrough Fighter of the Year’?

TITLE REMATCHES

If Aldo-Mendes II is anything to go by, Hendricks and Lawler’s 170lb return should be a barnstormer

WHAT'S NOT

ROMERO’S STOOL

This is the second time Yoel Romero has had serious ‘stool’ issues in the Octagon, although both were very different

KHABIB’S KNEE INJURY

We’re starting to miss that white, furry hat he always wears

INVICTA STREAMING WOES

The promotion can’t catch.a technology break

BREAKING BAD

The substances screenings for PEDs have reportedly found in the bodies of three Anderson Silva opponents:

XANAX

Offender: Forrest Griffin, UFC 101, Aug. 2009

Benefits: Reduces anxiety, sleep aid

Outcome: Silva def. Griffin, KO, R1

TESTOSTERONE (HIGH LEVEL)

Offender: Chael Sonnen, 

UFC 117, Aug. 2010

Benefits: Increased strength, improved recovery and mood

Outcome: Silva def. Sonnen, submission (triangle), R5

DROSTANOLONE

Offender: Stephan Bonnar, UFC 153, Oct. 2012

Benefits: Increased strength, leaner physique 

Outcome: Silva def. Bonnar, TKO, R1