Underpaid gets a lot of attention as a buzz word in the MMA industry, but what about overworked? We may soon find out if the industry's top stars are currently "overworked," perhaps in addition to underpaid, thanks to a new comprehensive year round drug testing program recently announced by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The news has been met mildly, especially considering that by all indications it has the potential to dramatically change the equation not only in the cage, but on the accounting ledger as well.
There are a series of important questions to be answered in a "clean" (ignoring the fact that testing cannot completely stop steroids, much less HGH) MMA industry, however, none is more important than those that relate to recovery time. Without steroids, how many times per year can the industry's top stars fight?
As a rough case study, consider the number of fights for headliners of major (i.e. numbered) UFC events in 2006 and 2007. Those 23 fighters (excluding Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie) fought an average of 2.5 times per year during that period.
Even ignoring mitigating circumstances (contract status, booking choice, etc.), if any significant percentage of those fighters are on steroids and physically need them in order to maintain their current work load, then 1-2 fights per year may be a more realistic projection for the average top fighter than the current 2-3.
That reduced work rate would have significant consequences for the industry. People pay to see stars. The fewer times any given star is able to fight, the more stars the industry must develop to fill the top of the card.
That only leaves one question left to answer: how many fighters are using steroids in the "off season?" Dave Meltzer provided some context in the February 4th editor of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Meltzer wrote:
There are a series of important questions to be answered in a "clean" (ignoring the fact that testing cannot completely stop steroids, much less HGH) MMA industry, however, none is more important than those that relate to recovery time. Without steroids, how many times per year can the industry's top stars fight?
As a rough case study, consider the number of fights for headliners of major (i.e. numbered) UFC events in 2006 and 2007. Those 23 fighters (excluding Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie) fought an average of 2.5 times per year during that period.
Even ignoring mitigating circumstances (contract status, booking choice, etc.), if any significant percentage of those fighters are on steroids and physically need them in order to maintain their current work load, then 1-2 fights per year may be a more realistic projection for the average top fighter than the current 2-3.
That reduced work rate would have significant consequences for the industry. People pay to see stars. The fewer times any given star is able to fight, the more stars the industry must develop to fill the top of the card.
That only leaves one question left to answer: how many fighters are using steroids in the "off season?" Dave Meltzer provided some context in the February 4th editor of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Meltzer wrote:
From talking with a few athletes since this announcement was made, the feeling is it is far more significant than most think. Nobody knows the percentage of MMA fighters who use steroids, but the number isn't low. According to one person who distributes with a major camp and named names, the best way I can put those results is, there were guys, based on looks, guys who you wouldn't think are using steroids who do during the off-season, guys you would be sure of who are; and guys who ar name stars who you would think are or at least might, but wouldn't be sure, who both are and aren't. The idea everyone is using them so it's a balanced field that many supporters of steroids in MMA claim is clearly not the case. But top guys, and mid-level guys are using, because they know the specific dates they are being tested, which is the day before or day of their fight. Whether the percentage of top guys is 25% or 60% (and based on name fighters at the specific camp in question I'd guess 50% of the name fighters in the camp isn't far off) who may use at some point during the year or much of the time except before a known test day, few if any are on leading up to the fight. But it is still both a physical and mental issue in the sport, and for those who use, a pretty significant psychological aspect of their training and mentality.For now speculation is the best we can do about how widespread steroid use is and what the effect of comprehensive testing will be on the industry. Especially since one significant part of the equation is yet to be determined, namely, how aggressively will the NSAC enforce it's new program? The selection guidelines presented in the memo are vague to say the least and give the commission total discretion for all intents and purposes.
Regardless of its final form, in a rapidly evolving industry, comprehensive drug testing is just the latest in a series of upheavels that promises an interesting and tumltueous 2008.
