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"Nice guys finish last."
UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub took the 'steroids in MMA' discussion in a different direction this week on his podcast. Rather than contend with the '80 percent' of fighters using PEDs, Schaub questioned why it shouldn't be 100.
"Listen, I would love to hear an argument for why I shouldn't do steroids," Schaub said. "Give me one. Let's say I take steroids and test positive. Say I'm a young kid [getting to the UFC] and I ask my dad, 'Dad, why shouldn't I take steroids?' Can I say, 'Well, you'll never be world champ.' That's not true. Anderson Silva's world champ. 'Well, you'll never fight for a title.' That's not true.
"Chael Sonnen tested positive, fought for a title. 'Well, you'll never be 'The Ultimate Fighter' coach.' Nope, Chael Sonnen, Anderson Silva. 'Well, you'll never be a main event.' No, not true. Alistair Overeem's a main event. Bigfoot Silva's a main event. 'Well, listen, you might get fired.' No, not really. Guys pop all the time. If it's cheating, everyone else is doing it and they're getting rewarded for it."
Given the current parameters of the sport's disciplinary process, Schaub believes the system does little to disincentive athletes from cheating.
"You know what's infuriating to me? It's not that I'm not champ," said Schaub. "It's not that I've lost some fights or won some big fights. It's more that there's just no reason everyone shouldn't take steroids. There's just not. In the UFC there's no reason. Someone give me a legit reason why you would tell a young fighter not to take them. I would love to hear a good argument. 'Well, you'll get fined $3000 and you'll have to sit out six months, maybe nine.' I fight every six months anyway."
Schaub explained that the climate directly affects not only his gameplan, but can also damage his brand by how he's forced to protect himself inside the Octagon.
"I fought a guy named Lavar Johnson. At the weigh-in when he weighed in I went to [UFC president] Dana White like, 'That guy's on roids." They laughed. Everyone's like, 'Come on.' Are you kidding me? The guy is jacked. He could go win Mr. Olympia. My team's laughing. I'm not laughing. I've got to fight him.
"So then I fight this guy. I don't stand with him. I take him down over and over. I just kept taking him down because I knew he was jacked on steroids. I'm not going to play that game. I took a lot of heat for that. Everyone from the company, outside the company, fans, everyone. 'Why didn't you stand and bang with him?' Well, I'm all natural and this guy's jacked out of his mind on steroids. It doesn't make sense for me. Make it a level playing field and I'm the Leonard Garcia of the heavyweight division."
Following the unanimous decision loss to Schaub at UFC 157, Johnson failed his post-fight drug screening due to an elevated testestosterone-to-epitestosterone (T/E) ratio and was suspended nine months by the California State Athletic Commission. Johnson later explained to the commission that he had failed to disclose he was undergoing testosterone replacement therapy.
Admitting he doesn't mind seeing athletes in other sports, or even Hollywood actors, 'roided up,' Schaub can't help but think about the problems fighters may face in the future.
"Anderson Silva landed some shots on Nick Diaz," said Schaub. "Those shots, I promise you, are going to catch up with Nick down the road. Now, we don't know how severe those shots were but I guarantee it's more severe when a guy's on steroids."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
MMA Beat. The panel discusses the ongoing performance enhancing-drug problem in MMA, Hector Lombard's positive drug test, what this means for Rory MacDonald, a busy weekend in MMA, and much more.
Trouble. Police are investigating claims that Matt Brown assaulted his former coach at the gym they own together in Ohio.
Tested. California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster says Cris Cyborg was given a urine test Thursday morning as part of her process to get licensed to compete at Invicta FC 11.
Results. Former TUF alum Josh Hill made bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes earn every round in the main event at WSOF 18.
'Heavy juicer.' Gleison Tibau responds to claims made by a fellow pro fighter that he's used banned substances.
MEDIA STEW
UFC 184: Extended Preview.
More from Bisping and Cormier on PEDs.
UFC Fight Night: Rio fighters react to Silva's failed drug test.
Bellator 133: What to Watch - Shlemenko vs. Manhoef.
Cheick Kongo talks King Mo and PEDs.
TTTHS.
Soa Palelei is kidnapped and forced to read the weather. (via r/MMA)
Long watches.
5 Rounds Today: UFC Fight Night Broomfield Preview, UFC Flyweight Landscape and More
...
TWEETS
Ready.
@arielhelwani im ready to go so lets get this title fight finalized @ufc @Ruthless_RL
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) February 13, 2015
Beefin'.
I tried to play it cool but I just got some info, I'ma put ur soft chin checked ass on blast. Wish you still went hard like u used to, nerd.
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) February 12, 2015
You think that ass whoopin my training partner @Anthony_Rumble put on you was bad. Fake ass dude. I'm picking fights and ur playing victim.
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) February 12, 2015
Hey @AndreiArlovski what's this shit about you turning down my fight? Not ranked high enough? F'n Hippocrate. You were #14 & Bigfoot was #4
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) February 12, 2015
I'm even against this type of shit but @AndreiArlovski gonna retweet fight suggestions then clown me? #SoftAssNerd. @arielhelwani @ufc
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) February 12, 2015
Look dude, Just take this ass whoopin and accept it. #HowTasteMYBigPeePee @AndreiArlovski #uWEREaWarrior #WeGetPaidToFightAndWereBothRanked
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) February 12, 2015
@mattmitrione I'm looking to take on top opponents in my devision and if the @UFC makes it happen, anytime any place! #MMA
— Andrei Arlovski (@AndreiArlovski) February 12, 2015
@AndreiArlovski @ufc wait...You saying I'm not a top fighter? Don't let ranking fool you. I'm most dangerous in the division. @danawhite
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) February 12, 2015
Sounds good.
Just got a much appreciated call from @lorenzofertitta it's evident PEDs in MMA are a serious concern to him & that he wants to see change.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) February 12, 2015
Post-retirement headbutt.
Get well soon.
Another doctor visit to get these knees glued together-then right to preparing for Fox thi... http://t.co/vy6E0g4ZeZ pic.twitter.com/1bfxWOjNv0
— Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) February 12, 2015
Was able to roll today for the first time. #progress #healing @tareqazim @sfgoldman @acceleratesport @empowersf
— Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) February 13, 2015
Agree?
#PEDsolution Dirty fighter gives opponent his prize money. Problem solved. @arielhelwani
— Joshua Burkman (@JoshBurkman) February 13, 2015
For the wrasslin' fans.
If you like pro wrestling/mma check this highlight video of my first day on the job! #chasingthedream #teamgreen https://t.co/skXoSitdr1
— matthew riddle (@riddletuf7) February 12, 2015
This Week in Struggle.
Internet be like. pic.twitter.com/EjgW20ZVeI
— 'Rowdy' Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) February 12, 2015
Woke up like this #roughnight http://t.co/1apl5C4Gcx pic.twitter.com/i7dU3UhdXE
— U R I A H H A L L (@UriahHallMMA) February 8, 2015
When your training & your partner don't shower @SAADMMA pic.twitter.com/oVoea1yzod
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) February 12, 2015
Now now no lying chandler "@Chan95Jones: Yeah!! @JonnyBones RT @TrevorThurn: @Chan95Jones could you last a round with jon?"
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) February 9, 2015
Day after leg day I look like a new born baby deer that doesn't know how to walk. @doubleedgenv it's all your fault.
— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) February 10, 2015
I wasn't a bed wetter as a kid, I also didn't drink a gallon of water a day !!
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) February 10, 2015
This diet is soooooo much fun! #SaidNoOneEver http://t.co/jKCNbGi7bX pic.twitter.com/ZiqbZPqxV2
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) February 12, 2015
UFC sent my passport to the wrong address. Luckily the guy knew who I was and hit me up on Facebook. Disaster adverted haha
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) February 10, 2015
Can't open the knife I just bought cuz I need a knife to cut through the packaging. I do love a good catch 22 though so I'm not unhappy.
— Peggy Morgan (@peggymorganmma) February 11, 2015
Wanna give a special thanks to my stylist @bisping His thumb found the perfect shade of purple to go with my eyes. pic.twitter.com/KK0XHptF4B
— Patrick Cummins (@OfficialDurkin) February 11, 2015
That moment when your car threatens to blow up like the predator because it needs an oil change. http://t.co/kVQgWiEIkw
— Vinc Pichel (@FromHellPichel) February 13, 2015
Filling out my info for @Reebok fight night gear. Had to put the additional info in to make sure they understand lol pic.twitter.com/AKpEcyrNxB
— David Michaud (@bulldawgUFC) February 11, 2015
I come home to this every day. pic.twitter.com/06shRt9Zjy
— Lance Palmer (@LancePalmer) February 12, 2015
"@LancePalmer: I come home to this every day. http://t.co/DMEgY5TIFC" ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7Wxt9vBg02
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) February 12, 2015
Ur mom. RT @CrockedConor: @chadmendes whose been pissing for you?
— chad mendes (@chadmendes) February 11, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Feb. 12 2015)
Matt Hamill vs. Vinny Magalhaes at WSOF 20
Ozzy Dugulubgov vs. Melvin Guillard at WSOF 20
Ryan Ford vs. Yushin Okami at WSOF 21
Blagoi Ivanov vs. Smealinho Rama at WSOF 21
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via tigerlee.
The Outsiders: Top 25 Heavyweights Outside UFC, Bellator, and WSOF
While most of the best talent is under the UFC banner and Bellator and WSOF have seemed scooped up the rest, there is still plenty of talent yet to be signed by the top promotions of the MMA food chain. These are not necessarily 'free agents' or even prospects, they are top 100 ranked fighters who are navigating the nebulous seas of regional and international fight promotion for whatever reason.
...
Check out the rest of the post here.
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