The Sunday Junkie: May 19 edition

Vitor Belfort on Saturday delivered perhaps the top highlight-reel moment of his entire career when he knocked out Luke Rockhold with a spinning back kick at UFC on FX 8 in Brazil.

But it wasn’t necessarily the kick everyone was talking about afterward. The Sunday Junkie, MMAjunkie.com’s weekly reader-feedback feature, had plenty of submissions from readers asking what Belfort’s acknowledged testosterone-replacement therapy use means in the bigger picture.

This week’s winner, Stephen “SMG83 ” Gleeson of Walsall, England, believes fighters need to start speaking out about TRT and refused to fight opponents who are using it if they believe that gives them an unfair advantage.

For his winning entry, Gleeson wins a free one-year subscription to “Fighters Only” magazine, the world’s leading MMA and lifestyle magazine.

Want to submit to next week’s edition of The Sunday Junkie? Scroll to the bottom of the page for instructions.

Also, as a reminder, please be sure to include your hometown and stick within the 150-word limit (and include your submission in the body of an email, not in an attachment). Many quality submissions this week didn’t meet those minimum guidelines and couldn’t be considered for publication.

(Pictured: Vitor Belfort)

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FIGHTERS NEED TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT TRT

I received no pleasure from seeing the chemically enhanced Vitor Belfort knock years off the career of another contender. We all know about the dangers of concussions, and for the time being at least the UFC and commissions seem to have no problem with some of the sport’s brightest talents and ambassadors being separated from consciousness by a fighter Mother Nature tried to retire years ago. If fighters simply refused to fight these fighters, the issue would go away. Imagine if a fighter accepted that a fighter taking TRT did have an unfair advantage and said no rather than declaring with bravado that they would knock them out anyway. Jones and Stann have voiced their opinion. Now it is time for fighters to take this to the next stage and say no. It’s the responsibility of media and fans to not judge a fighter who makes this decision.

Stephen “SMG83 ” Gleeson
Walsall, England

VITOR BELFORT IS A CHEATER USING A LOOPHOLE

If I wasn’t an MMA fan and someone told me that testosterone replacement therapy was an acceptable practice (when administered by a physician) and marijuana (when prescribed by a physician) was not, I wouldn’t believe it. Like many North American men in their 30s I’ve experimented with marijuana and PEDs (androstenedione) and am aware of their effects. Even those who haven’t are. Ask a child to describe a “pothead.” Then ask him to describe someone on PEDs. The contrast is no secret to anyone – except the Athletic Commision(s) that is. Belfort looked like a man benefiting from enhancements last night, not a man who merely had his testosterone raised to normal levels. He is now on his way to another giant payday. Why would anyone not take full advantage of this ridiculous loophole? And who could blame them? The only hope is they will test positive for marijuana metabolites trying to counteract their testosterone-induced rage.  M. Sims Toronto

M. Sims
Toronto

THE DANGEROUS “DINOSAUR”

For the record, I don’t believe in TRT or the fact Belfort only seems to fight in Brazil these days. However, the man is an animal at middleweight. Dana White may not agree with TRT, yet he allows Belfort to fight in Brazil where he can get away with it. Therefore, you cannot penalize him of a title shot, which he thoroughly deserves, after two devastating highlight-reel knockouts of two serious contenders and a four-fight win streak at middleweight. There is nobody as dangerous as the young dino at this moment in time, and that includes Silva and Weidman. The first time around, Silva caught Belfort with a once-in-a-lifetime spider-like action. When Silva gets past Weidman, forget a Jon Jones superfight for now and give Silva a serious challenger at middleweight.

“Frostie”
Co. Durham, England

VITOR BELFORT VS. TRT VS. CRITICS

The reverse kick Vitor landed was awesome. Can that be attributed to TRT? Who knows. In my opinion, TRT makes an athlete more aggressive and explosive. Chael fought Silva with a 14:1 ratio in their first fight. That was a different Chael than who we saw in the second fight. The critics will say that Vitor used to be a quitter and now he is not because of TRT. The critics fail to realize that those fights happened in 2006 and before. Since 2006, his record is 11-2 with eight KOs. Let’s address TRT for the one thing it does for a fighter. It provides confidence. Vitor has knocked out people with his hands, but now he is using his legs/feet. I say that TRT adds aggression, explosion and confidence. Vitor used to be a counter fighter. Now he is more aggressive. Is that an advantage? I do not know, but he is a different fighter while using TRT.

“Devarr”
Palm Bay, Fla.

C’MON, Nate Diaz!

While I am a big fan of the Diaz Brothers, they often leaving me wondering, “Why did you say that?” Again, I had another moment when Nate decided to tweet what he felt about Bryan Caraway and that he won the “Submission of the Night”  money that Pat Healy lost for testing positive for marijuana. I am not a fan of Caraway, though Caraway did earn it in a way. He negotiated the bonuses up and had the only other submission that night. I understand Nate’s outlook on marijuana and I agree with him. I also understand were Caraway is coming from. It’s a banned substance in the UFC. I know Nate reacted out of anger. But rules are rules. My message to Nate is start a petition and try to get it overturned with the athletic commission. Talk to Chael Sonnen, who got MMA legalized in oregon. I’m sure Chael could point Nate in the right direction. But sexist slurs and name calling only gets you in trouble. Work smarter guys!

Marc Potts
North Ft. Myers, Fla.

ROCKHOLD’S TITLE PROSPECTS TOOK A KNOCK

The path was set. If Luke Rockhold had beaten Vitor Belfort in the main event of last night’s UFC event, then he would probably have met the victor of Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman. One spinning wheel kick later and the near future of the middleweight division remains unclear. The reason is that Rockhold will obviously not get the next title shot following a devastating loss, nor will he likely meet Ronaldo Souza (a winner last night) as UFC matchmakers seldom pair up impressive winners with fighters coming off losses. So who is next for Rockhold? It seems like he’s destined to meet a gatekeeper like Michael Bisping or Chael Sonnen. And with the fickle nature of the UFC nowadays, all it takes is another loss to drop so far down the rankings that it could take years before he fights for the championship.

Darragh Murphy
Cork, Ireland

WHERE DID VITOR BELFORT’S FIRE GO?

After a highly motivated Vitor executes an amazing knockout finish of a highly skilled opponent in Luke Rockhold, he was asked if he was going to fight for the belt after the July middleweight title fight. Instead of responding a resounding yes followed by the reasons that make sense, like beating two highly ranked opponents, being ranked No. 2, or he wants to avenge the loss against Silva, he said, “I don’t choose fights, I take them.” What? Where was that “God’s odds” and “best I’ve ever been” from the presser and weigh-ins? This may be showing a chink in the armor – being a highlight reel instead of creating them like usual might have left an emotional cut he hasn’t healed from yet.

Aaron E. Green
Meridian, Idaho

SHOWS IN OTHER COUNTRIES TOO PREDICTABLE

I’m tired of watching shows in other countries that are stacked with fighters from that country (which I completely understand) against inferior competition. Brazil is the worst! I avoid cards on PPV from Brazil because it’s always the same thing: Brazilians against guys that should not be in there with them because they are an almost guaranteed victory for the Brazilian fighter. Sure it sparks country pride and sends the paying customers home happy. But it does nothing for the rankings, the sport and the future of the divisions. Not every fight can mean something, but just throwing two randoms against each other doesn’t satisfy me. That’s for the undercard. Thank goodness this was free TV because it was another card designed to appease the host nation, not the true fans who want to see fights with meaning behind them. Fighters should fight based off of rankings and replacements should also be close to the current level of their opponent as much as possible

John “Vader” Williams
Modesto, Calif.

PAT HEALY GOT WHAT HE DESERVED

Recently Pat Healy had his UFC 159 submission win over Jim Miller overturned to a no-contest and $130,000 worth of bonuses taken away for failing a post-fight drug test. He was flagged for marijuana. Healy got what he deserved. The rules are clear: Marijuana is a banned substance. The fighters know this, but yet they still take the risk of using it. If they aren’t willing to pay the consequences for their actions, then they shouldn’t take the risk. So the point is that if fighters do not want what has happened to Healy, among others, then they need to abide by the rules put forth until they can successfully change the rules. Marijuana may or may not be a performance-enhancing drug, but for whatever reason it is a banned substance and thus fighters who choose to use it deserve to be punished when caught.

Justin “The1? Sumner
Jackson, Ga.

CONSISTENCY REQUIRED FOR UFC’S CODE OF CONDUCT

This week’s suspension and fining of Nate Diaz for calling Caraway the “F” word has shown us another case of double standards. Forget about opinions and right from wrong and let’s take some facts. The UFC’s code of conduct states that punishment can be applied for use of “Derogatory or offensive conduct, including without limitation insulting language, symbols or actions about a person’s ethnic background, heritage, color, race, national origin, age, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation.” Back at a UFC 148 pre-fight press conference, Chael Sonnen said the following: “When I was a little kid, I remember going outside. I’d sit around with my friends, we’d talk about the latest technology and medicine and gaming and American ingenuity, and I look outside Anderson and the Brazilian kids are sitting outside playing in the mud.” Where was the punishment for him?

Brian Sweeney
Clare, Ireland

LACK OF UFC CONSISTENCY BECOMING FRUSTRATING

Pat Healy won a life-changing amount of money for his defeat of Jim Miller. Likewise, he saw a life changing amount of money taken away from him for an indiscretion. Should he have been penalized? Absolutely. He knowingly broke a rule and assumed that he could cover his tracks without being discovered. Should he have lost $130,000? Definitely not. It is a rule that the UFC is actively trying to have changed, yet they’ve chosen to take over 80 percent of a man’s earnings from him. Furthermore, the UFC has always been inconsistent in the punishment of their fighters, but has hit a new low. As an advocate of equal rights, I believe that Nate Diaz receiving a fine and suspension are justified after calling Caraway a “f-g,” but after the slap on the wrist Mitrione received for his malicious attack on Fallon Fox recently, these reprimands seem unfair. 

Ryan Scott
Grande Prairie, Alberta

THE DIAZ BROTHERS NEED TO GO

I think it is time for the Diaz Brothers to get a reality check. They need to be released by the UFC. Their poor attitude is what gives MMA a bad name. From their Strikeforce team-jumping of Jason “Mayhem” Miller on national television, marijuana use and skipping press conferences to this week’s tweet from Nate Diaz calling Brian Caraway a derogatory name. It is enough the UFC has been headed in a positive direction and they need to send these twp packing and any others like them to keep heading in that direction. The UFC is for professional fighters, not thugs.

Byron Weatherby
Colorado Springs, Colo.

Evan Dunham GOT ROBBED AGAIN

Evan Dunham just can’t seem to catch a break. He has faced controversial decision losses to TJ Grant, Sean Sherk and now Rafael dos Anjos. Most fans believe that Dunham won these fights, but last night’s decision was particularly disturbing because the Brazilian fans seemed to have swayed the decision. Throughout the fight, each time dos Anjos would land a significant strike, the crowd would erupt with applause, whereas Dunham’s shots were met with understandable silence from the fans. I am not at all blaming fans for supporting a native fighter. I am, however, blaming the judges for perceiving certain strikes as more significant just because the crowd reacts. The decision to give dos Anjos the nod was scandalous and reminiscent of Bisping’s victory over Hamill in London. It’s about time judges wise up and make decisions on the fight itself rather than simply act as applause-o-meters.

Darragh Murphy
Cork, Ireland

VITOR “THE VASCULAR NIGHTMARE” BELFORT

I’m writing my article before Saturday’s fight to remain uninfluenced by Vitor if he wins yet again. As a person, there is no better ambassador for the sport of MMA than Belfort, though as a fighter I have my doubts. If he felt there was no wrong in using TRT, why doesn’t he talk about it? Why does he avoid every question and have no retort for every insult slung at him for using it? He only speaks of God, who gave him this natural talent and a fighting spirit – but not enough testosterone? Belfort, who is so spiritual and into his body, should know that using manmade chemicals to replace God-given chemicals can’t be healthy. As long as he keeps showing up to the octagon a vascular nightmare and winning, people will continue to say TRT is what won the fight and not the truly talented Vitor Belfort.  

Michael Dyke
Tampa, Fla.

NATE DIAZ SHOULD CHANGE HIS MANAGEMENT TEAM

I can’t stand the Diaz Brothers. I replay the Josh Thomson fight and it fills me with fuzzy feelings. That being said, Nate, here’s free advice: Get new management. Kogan has managed MMA royalty, but he doesn’t care about you. If he did, he’d say, “Look kid, after what Mitrione said, you need to go online and say you were stoned off your ass.” We’d believe that! Kogan’s attempt at redefining a derogatory word was pathetic. Then I found some of Kogan’s clients. Oh look: Fallon Fox? But wait, wouldn’t she …? Nah, not going there. Let’s make it easier, if I dropped the “N” word, but I said it was a term of endearment and wasn’t a reference to the centuries of anguish, wouldn’t I look like an imbecile, Kogan? Dumbass (don’t you go redefining that now, I mean that the way it reads).

J.D. Hernandez
Los Angeles

UFC SHOULD ADD VETERANS DIVISIONS

I think it would be amazing, not to mention a win-win situation for all parties involved, to implement a few veterans divisions in the UFC. Similar to the way tennis and golf tournaments have a masters title, the UFC could cash in on big-name fighters who are past their prime who can no longer keep up with the young guns of MMA today. It would keep money in the pockets of the people who gave their all to the promotion who would otherwise fight for chump change in regional promotions. It would keep the fans happy as they get to witness their favorite fighters compete at the elite level. Most importantly, it would keep the UFC brass happy as it will put butts in seats and sell PPVs more than unknown local fighters

Michael Contarin
Melbourne, Australia

STRIKEFORCE FIGHTERS MORE THAN PROVING THEIR WORTH

As the UFC reigns supreme as the leader of mixed martial arts, fans sometimes overlook the talented fighters in the smaller shows (WEC, Strikeforce, Bellator, WSOF, etc.) Since absorbing the WEC and Strikeforce, fighters from both organizations have more than proven their worth. They have also proven there are a significant number of talented men and women outside of the UFC’s grasp. However, it is obvious the smaller shows do not have the debt and resources the UFC does – but they do have some talented fighters.

Jeff Alan Johnson
Bedford, Ind.

VITOR NEEDS TO START ANSWERING FOR TRT

You can’t take anything away from Vitor Belfort’s performance on Saturday’s UFC on FX 8, delivering on yet another entertaining bout. His mentality and approach of accepting any challenge put in front of him is second to none. Like he said, “I don’t think you have to say, ‘Oh, I want this.’ I just accept. I accept my losses as I accept my victories.” Vitor Belfort must realize that he also needs to adapt this principle of his outside the cage – you know, like answering questions about TRT? Requesting someone to beat a journalist asking about his situation doesn’t seem to me like he accepts his losses or victories. The more he deflects this question, the more it will hurt his legacy. If he truly stands by his principle he needs to conquer anything thrown at him even if it’s outside the cage.

Nicolo
Manila, Philippines

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