Fighters Only

Issue 113

April 2014

DOCTORS CALL FOR ‘ELIMINATION’ OF TRT EXEMPTIONS

The Association of Ringside Physicians (ARP) has released a statement supporting the “general elimination of therapeutic-use exemptions (TUE) for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).”

The group, a committee of doctors dedicated to bettering medical issues in combat sports, wrote: “The incidence of hypogonadism requiring the use of TRT in professional athletes is extraordinarily rare. Accordingly, the use of an anabolic steroid such as testosterone in a professional boxer or mixed martial artist is rarely justified.”

Due to health concerns about the treatment, given to people who are shown to have low levels of natural testosterone, and the potential for an unfair advantage, the ARP has officially recommended against freely granting TUEs.

FO SCORE: Currently the various regulating bodies worldwide are in a bind when doctors advise them certain fighters have a just need for synthetic testosterone. As such it’s hard to discern who has a legitimate need for TRT, and one that hasn’t been self-inflicted by previous PED use. However, this is exactly the kind of pressure that’s needed to ensure only those who honestly need the therapy can use it around competition.

PAT BARRY ASKS FOR UFC RELEASE, JOINS GLORY KICKBOXING

Heavyweight striker Pat Barry has left mixed martial arts to revive his kickboxing career. The fan favorite asked for, and was granted, his release from his UFC contract before announcing he had signed to compete in kickboxing under the Glory banner.

‘HD’ told The MMA Hour he’d lost his love for MMA competition citing displeasure with the need to wrestle in fights. “I’m finally able to go back into doing what I’ve been wanting to do since the beginning,” said Barry.

FO SCORE: We’re excited to see what Barry might accomplish in the ring when he doesn’t have to worry about the threat of the takedown. A rematch with fellow Glory talent and sometime training partner Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ could be marketable.

KEN SHAMROCK ADMITS TO USING STEROIDS IN THE PAST

UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock recently admitted to having used steroids, although maintains he never fought while taking them.

The former WWE (then WWF) wrestler told Inside MMA: “During my career when I was fighting, steroids, I never entered into the ring while using steroids. I was never in the ring and fought with steroids. Ever. Just to get that clear. But I have used steroids in the past.”

FO SCORE: It’s refreshing to hear a fighter talk openly about performance-enhancing drugs. Who knows, perhaps more frankness and honesty from other old-guard fighters could encourage improved dialogue about steroids and the like across the entire industry?

ON THE RADAR

Three red-hot prospects worth keeping an eye on...

Alex White, 9-0

Undefeated as a pro in nine bouts, unbeaten at amateur in 15, 5-0 in Muay Thai and 13-1 in amateur boxing: Alex White has an aptitude for fighting. The 25-year-old finisher (three TKOs, five submissions) is capable on the feet and hard to catch out on the ground, both in terms of positions and submissions. Opponents have found gaps in the featherweight’s stand-up, but fearlessly aggressive striking and a very active guard game have provided spectacular results so far.

John Hackleman Jr, 2-0

That name look familiar? Yes, he’s the son of The Pit coach John Hackleman (trainer to destructive former UFC champion Chuck Liddell) and, predictably, Junior is as productive with his fists and feet as you’d expect for a 31-year-old born to a kempo karate instructor. He might be starting late and only 2-0 as a pro, but both were TKO finishes in a combined one minute and 18 seconds, and came after a 5-2 amateur career – according to patchy records. If the rangy, six-foot-three middleweight can keep up his habit of knocking and choking people unconscious he’ll get a big-league call-up.

Rayner Silva, 5-1

Jungle Fight flyweight champion Rayner Silva’s solid chin, heavy hands and all-action, crowd-pleasing style have made him one to watch. Whether you get fast-starter Silva, or the slower and sleepier version usually indicates whether there’s a first-round finish on the cards, although top priority should be shoring his takedown defense and improving his lacking grappling (responsible for his decision loss) in order to exchange regional gold for a ticket to the top tiers.

ROSIE O'DONNELL - STAR SIGHTING

Who? TV personality, actress, comedian

Where? UFC 169, New Jersey

It’s no surprise former TV talk show host Rosie O’Donnell had prime seats for UFC 169, which featured UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao fighting Urijah Faber in the main event; she’s been a die-hard fan of ‘The California Kid’ for years.

QUOTES

“It’d have to be Tank Abbott. He hit me in ‘96. My first daughter was born in 2000, second daughter born in 2001, and they were born dizzy.”

If UFC legend Don Frye had a TV show we’d never miss an episode

“He’s been wearing contacts into the cage. They get knocked out early in the fight, so what happens is he stands there squinting in front of his opponents.”

Coach Duke Roufus makes 20-year-old UFC bantamweight Sergio Pettis’ 10-1 career seem even more impressive

“‘Bigfoot’ has acromegaly. His pituitary gland overproduces growth hormone and that unbalances all his other hormones. When I started managing him, he was actually lactating.”

‘Bigfoot’ Silva’s manager, Alex Davis, provides some information we could have lived without

“I only occasionally use TRT. Mostly just socially, parties, special occasions. My mom makes me TRT outside because she doesn’t like it in the house.”

Tweets UFC featherweight Cole Miller. Damn peer pressure

“Money starts to come and people start to recognize you, and the drive slips. I always told myself that wouldn’t happen to me, but it did.”

A hungry, motivated, stone-cold Donald Cerrone is the best kind of Donald Cerrone

INSTAGRA MMA

julesk_fighter (JULIE KEDZIE) “Please everyone ask @jacksonsmma if I can put up a Renoir or a picture of a cat or something in the office”

MIKE_SWICK “Our new friend. She was running around all over the #AKAThailand site today”

JAKESHIELDS “Sprint workout”

REWIND / FAST FORWARD

Legend reborn: linking two combatants – one past, one present

Notorious for missing contracted weight for UFC bouts

ANTHONY JOHNSON

Missed weight in the UFC: Three times