In a society were professional athletes are more and more frequently confessing (or getting caught) to using performance enhancing substances, I figured it was simply a matter of time before someone brought it up. I've been perusing a variety of avenues, and each time I check in I anticipate that the subject will have been broached. And yet...nothing. So I figure that if no one else is going to bring it up, I will. That's right; you know what I'm talking about:
Anabolic steroids.
Please don't misconstrue; this is not an article condeming anabolics as the new "white devil" of our generation. Although I never used them myself, I actually maintain a pro- steroids outlook. Official medical and scientific studies will show that mild to moderate steroid use in healthy males above the age of 25 are actually quite beneficial. This, of course, is assuming that they are used correctly; i.e.: doctor supervision, proper diet, no alcohol consumption, bi-weekly blood tests, etc. I bring up my pro-steriods mentality only to make one point: anabolics have no place in professional sports.
Now, with that being said...
When Frank Mir weighed in at UFC 100 he showed up in the best shape of his life, at a shredded mid 240 pounds. The added conditioning didn't truly avail him though, as he was soon decimated at the hands of the monster named Brock Lesnar. Afterwards, Frank enlisted the aid of former UNLV strength and conditioning coach and World's Strongest Man competitor, Mark Phillipi. Six months later, we got a glimpse of the "new" Frank Mir, who had to (reportedly) cut approximately 10 pounds to make the 265 pound limit. Frank boasted an exceptionally muscular physique, while maintaining his conditioning. This is where I can't help but smell something fishy.
Anyone that has truly dedicated themselves to gaining a significant amount of muscle mass will tell you the same thing: it's not as easy as it looks. A novice, touching a weight for the first time, with a perfect diet and proper training techniques might be able to gain as much as 20 pounds that first year. After the first year (maintaining the previously mentioned perfect diet and training techniques) gaining an additional 10 pounds in a year would be a stretch.
Frank Mir is not a novice athlete. Frank Mir is a professional fighter, which means that cardio, in theory, is his best friend. Gaining weight while doing cardio is virtually impossible. I will go on record right now and say that there is no way a conditioned athlete doing 3-4 hours of cardio a day is going to gain 25 pounds in 6 months.
"But GSP put on muscle mass to fight Dan Hardy; why aren't you complaining about him, too?"
Georges took a year and added on 6-8 pounds of muscle. This I can believe, as it falls with in the realm of natural anatomy, physiology, and homeostasis. 25 pounds in 6 months? Try again.
I like Frank. Hell, my wife likes Frank. He is talented, articulate, promotes himself (and his fights) well, and has overcome his fair share of adversity. But I also feel that Frank has a near unhealthy obsession with Brock Lesnar. On one hand, this is a good thing. He is keeping his eye on the prize, and he has a goal in mind. On the other hand, I feel that this has caused him to look past and dismiss his two previous opponents, as well as possibly/ probably delving into some frowned upon "training methods".
Steriods are good for a variety of things that can be related to fighting. Dianobol can make you stronger. Testosterone can make you more aggressive. Sustanon can help with recovery. But two very pertinant things that steroids can't do is stop a double leg or make your chin any more resistant to a vicious series of left handed uppercuts.
Sorry, Frank; Back to the drawing board. I guess you're just going to have to get the belt back the old fashioned way.
