Either Dana & the Fertittas have to adopt a zero tolerance policy with everyone or no one. And if it’s the latter, then they risk eventually losing all the credibility that they’ve worked so hard to build over the past seven plus years.

In all fairness to Dana, he’s sort of in a tough position vis a vis steroid testing. On one hand, his primary loyalty is to his fighters and the guys who sign his checks, aka the Fertita brothers. His responsibility in this regard is to protect not only the UFC brand but the reputation of the fighters that comprise it. In this role, his defense of Sherk was completely appropriate.

However whether he likes it or not he is the de facto caretaker of the entire sport. This clearly isn’t the job he signed on for but one he better take seriously for not only MMA as a whole but for the legitimacy of the UFC brand. It’s no doubt tough to wear both hats but for the time being at least that’s the situation he’s in.

That’s one of the reasons I’m of the opinion that it would be in the UFC’s best interest to only run shows in jurisdictions with strong regulatory oversight like Nevada. That way any suggestion of preferential treatment is eliminated and he can more appropriately defend his fighters (eg: Sherk) when allegations surface. Its tough to maintain credibility when you’re simultaneously trying to test your athletes while running shows in jurisdictions (like Europe) where its easier to play fast and loose with the results.

I’ve got a concern which I’m going to elaborate on in a future posting that the UFC is on the verge of becoming a bit too much like the WWE for their own good. Their response to the steroid controversy and media frenzy around it–which might be more of pro wrestlings problem culminating with the Benoit murder/suicide–could be the toughest issue they’ve had to deal with. To the casual fan–particularly in the US–the UFC is MMA much like the WWE is pro wrestling. Should Dana bungle this it could undo all of the legit sports credibility he’s earned and set MMA in America back by a decade or so.

At this point, IMO, letting the state athletic commissions do much of the testing “dirty work” is probably the best short term solution. I’ve never been a proponent of Federal oversight of any sport, so that’s not a good option. At the very least relying on the regulatory framework that’s already in place buys Dana and the boys some time to figure out a better course of action….

He certainly doesn’t want to go down the road that Vince McMahon and the WWE has–at this point Vinny Mac has no credibility whatsoever on the issue. The WWE could show John Cena and Bobby Lashley pissing in a cup on PPV (not that I’m spending $49.95 to see *that*) and the perception would be that he’s still “working” the results. Dana has only one shot to get this right and I hope he does for the good of the UFC and the sport of MMA

It sounds like a cop out to me.

But, let’s say for the moment that it isn’t. Why doesn’t Dana do some serious research or have the Fertitta boys pay for some testing to be done on which over the counter suppliments are the very best & of no risk for causing positive test results & then go into that symposium he’s talking about having with the fighters sometime soon armed with a list of what these guys should & should not be using. Basically VERY strongly suggest certain products that he knows are beneficial & safe.

If he doesn’t want to risk endorsing one certain brand of products over another, he could even keep the list private. I don’t know, maybe I’m off course with this suggestion, but wouldn’t every little bit helps.

There’s propably no way that Dana & the boys could enforce the use of only said products, but …

What do you think?

Now, I’m no expert on steroids, so I’m in no position to say that there couldn’t have been some sort of a “false positive” or perhaps a legitimate reason for his testing hot. I mean, it was a low amount compaired with the levels that other athletes are coming up with.

But, making excuses for a fighter, ANY fighter can’t be in White’s job job description. Not if he wants to be considered legitimate in his quest to rid the UFC & MMA of substance abuse. IMO he’s already damaged his credibility right out of the gate.

IMO it’s almost akin to Roger Goodell having Michael Vick over to his place for dinner & telling the press that he doesn’t think Vick is guilty.

Either Dana & the Fertittas have to adopt a zero tolerance policy with everyone or no one. And if it’s the latter, then they risk eventually losing all the credibility that they’ve worked so hard to build over the past seven plus years.