What do you guys think about Dana White's hypocrisy of firing Marquardt from the UFC and then signing him to a Strikeforce contract? My thoughts on this are pretty simple. If you have to get injected with testosterone in order to compete, you should NOT be competiting. White and the UFC are only encouraging the behavior by keeping Marquardt employed. I feel bad that Nate's a career pro athlete and has low testosterone levels. Unfortunately that just means he can no longer be a pro athlete.
I disagree with you. I think it's fine and i think Low Testosterone shouldnt mean end of a career. i think it should be allowed in the sport, but it has to be PROVEN you have low testosterone and the levels should be at normal levels come fight night.
Marquardt is one of my favorite fighters, so it will be good to see him fight again soon. I don't think testosterone replacement therapy should mean the end of a career either, as long as they test to make sure they keep it within normal levels. From what I understand, nate tested just above normal levels before the Story fight. That shouldn't mean a lifetime ban from the sport when guys like Dan Henderson and Randy Couture are seen as heroes and all time greats.
Yep, the only thing that MIGHT make Nate different is that he actually failed a drug test in the UFC before. But to me it doesn't matter. They both openly acknowledge that they need TRT. It's just my simple opinion that they shouldn't be pro fighters since they suffer from this "medical condition".
Exactly. It's like someone justifying steroids because they are naturally not very strong for their size. You should fight with what you are given naturally.
Except there is a medical justification for TRT. None for Steriods. Low TRT can have a negative impact on living. No way should that stop you from being a pro. It jus needs to be perfected so the levels stay normal.
See, this is where it becomes bull shit. I could walk into a Doctor's office tomorrow and complain that I'm tired, depressed, getting a beer gut, irratible, have shrinking balls and my hair line isn't receeding fast enough. They would then do a blood test and the "Normal" range for testosterone is 300-1000ng/dl. And EVEN IF my results are within that range, I could still be a candidate for TRT because of my 'symptoms'. And again, who wouldn't like to double or triple their testosterone levels during training to be able to push harder, recover quicker and not be fatigued? And then have it down to within acceptable levels come fight time, which apparently is relatively easy to do. The bottom line is that the big kids or athletes usually just have a higher natural testosterone level. It's just the way human bodies are different. And the notion of trying to equalize that difference through hormone injections is bullshit. Furthermore, just look at the bodies of Marquardt and Sonnen. These are not guys that are suffering from clinical hypogonadism. These are just guys looking for an edge and they found an approved way of doing it.
I think this statement is full of assumptions. I suffer from low levels of T and my body is bigger and even more defined than Chael's. The problem is i recognized the issue early and was able to deal with it. Again those this isnt a matter of just they shouldnt fight at that is it. If there is such a concern with Training as you say, than said fighter should have to have special testing throughout their training to confirm levels are normal. It's not perfect now, but with all the science and technology we have, i dont see how it cant be perfected.
You keep using the word "normal". There is a huge gap between the low end of normal and the high end of normal. So basically you're saying everyone COULD use testosterone as long as they stay under the high 'Normal' threshold. Do you really not see what that could create. Basically everyone would get juiced up to 1000 ng/dl to level the playing field and still test "Normal" Ridiculous. By the way, are you saying you get TRT? When you say you were low, what were your blood test results?
My Blood test showed a 230ng/DL That is way below normal. I believe normal is in the 500 range. Again, we dont know Sonnen's levels so we are just assuming they arent as low as mines. They could have been lower.
I'm with the 'too bad, so sad' folks. Low testosterone? Sorry. You're not cut out to be a pro athlete then. Few of us are. I'm not cut out to be a pro athlete because I'm not very fast. Should I be allowed to take something that'll improve my speed? Compete the way you are naturally or don't compete at all. Simple. Low testosterone, that sucks. Get a job.
I agree with this point. No better way to insure that the playing field is equal is if no one can take anything. Too many openings for exploitation once certain avenues are allowed.
:bears: That's what I'm saying. That and every guy on it will be coming into every fight at the very highest allowable level. Giving them an advantage over guys in the lower end of the normal range.
In all seriousness, with a little extra testosterone you could have been the best Curling sweeper to ever come out of Saskatoon, Elk Balls or whatever town your from. Kidding...
Don't be so serious, and I have nothing against Mexicans for the record, or puerto ricans for that matter. Anyway, if there was a better way to regulate TRT, then I would have no problem with it. I think it's BS guys like Couture and Hendo are using it basically just because they are old.
