Does the UFC have a Drug Problem?

If you recall in early 2014, George St. Pierre stepped away from the UFC. One of the supposed reasons, was the UFC's stance on drug testing (http://espn.go.com/mma/story/_/id/10295418/georges-st-pierre-says-ufc-stance-drug-testing-partly-exit). He wanted the UFC to involve the voluntary anti doping association.

Well fast forward a year to the present. The last two UFC main card fights had three out of four fighters test positive for some sort of banned substance. Jon Jones had traces of cocaine in his system. The latest news is that Anderson Silva tested positive for steroids and Nick Diaz tested positive for marijuana. Are these performance enhancers?

What can these three drugs do to you? Marijuana can possibly cause increased heart rate, appetite, dizziness and slowed reaction time (WebMD). Not necessarily a boost for fighting, but may calm some pre-fight jitters. It is also still illegal in 46 out of 50 states or legal for certain medical conditions.

What about cocaine? Cocaine can provide a euphoric feeling of mood, energy and supremacy. While the negative effects include heart problems, brain issues (seizures), and respiratory problems. (WebMD) Might be a short term boost for a fight, but unless somebody does a controlled study of Coked up fighters vs non coked up fighters any conclusions are circumstantial. Oh yeah also illegal.

Lastly steroids, yeah this one has been hotly debated in sports for a long long time. Obviously, steroids are used to build lots and lots of muscle, which correlates into strength. Thus you can "create" a guy or gal who can punch like a semi truck. And again illegal unless prescribed for certain medical conditions.

In all these cases, the test results were completed after the fights. The test results are slow. Why are events held before the results? Too much money at stakes perhaps? The UFC has also been inconsistent with its Anti Drug statements. For Silva and Diaz the statements were, "The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by its athletes.". The UFC did not release that statement when Jones tested positive for cocaine, in fact they praised him for checking into rehab. (http://www.ufc.com/news/UFC-Statement-on-Jon-Jones)

Why even bother having a policy, if the fighters continuously break them? George St. Pierre might be on to something. Would you want to be in the ring with a coked out steroid user?

I definitely would not.

-Martial Art Muse Dwight.