Each week, ESPN.com MMA writer Brett Okamoto, ESPN Insider senior editor Mike Huang and a guest panelist tackle hot topics that are buzzing in the world of mixed martial arts.
This week, MMA trainer/guru Greg Jackson joins the panel.
1. In light of Anderson Silva's positive drug test, does your perception on his entire career change at all?
Greg Jackson: He's fundamentally the same guy to me. This doesn't mean he was on steroids his entire career. He might have made a mistake this one time. He only failed this one time. It doesn't change my opinion of him. I'm not a person to come down hard with a hammer, 'Oh my god, I can't believe you did this.' He made a mistake, and if he takes his punishment, I'm fine. It certainly doesn't change my perception of him.
Brett Okamoto: Of course it does. Not in the sense that it destroys everything he did -- and not even in the sense that I was shocked by it -- but it changes a lot. It opens the question: Did Silva use performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career? Like Jackson said, it doesn't prove he did -- but it opens the question that was never there before. This was the first time Silva was ever tested out of competition and he failed. That will forever be attached to his legacy. It is disappointing.
Mike Huang: Not really. I have to give Silva the benefit of the doubt. During his 18-year career he's never once tested positive. That reason alone you'd have to judge his body of work without prejudice. In that context, he's still arguably the greatest of all time. But look, he's 39, coming off two terrible losses and what likely would have been a career-ending injury to the average fighter -- you can see there certainly was ample motivation to perhaps use something to accelerate his return. Judging from how emotional he was after the win, it took every iota of energy and motivation to come back. I just can't see him jeopardizing his reputation after working so hard to rehab. However, he tested positive for two types of PEDs. That doesn't seem accidental.
2. Is marijuana a performance-enhancing drug and what is an appropriate punishment for Nick Diaz?
Jackson: For me, marijuana is a tricky question. I don't think it's a performance enhancer, like suddenly you are a superhero. It's more due to painkilling effects, though. People take it for pain, nausea -- I have never done marijuana, but these are things it's supposed to help with. If it is painkilling, then it is a performance enhancer? Fighters aren't even allowed to take ibuprofen for pain. As far as Nick, he has to cope with the world and the pressures on him, and I think he might use marijuana as some kind of help to do that. I don't begrudge him doing marijuana, but if it is performance enhancing, I wish he wouldn't do it before a fight.
Okamoto: I do not view marijuana as a performance-enhancing drug. That doesn't mean I'm in favor of a fighter smoking up and entering the cage, obviously -- but I don't register it as a PED. I understand why it is considered a banned substance in competition, though. And the threshold of marijuana metabolites has been raised in Nevada, meaning they're not concerned if you've smoked within the last month. They are concerned if you've smoked very recently ahead of a fight. I feel for Diaz, who I believe uses marijuana to deal with the social pressures of competition rather than the physical, but a rule is a rule and this is his third offense. I would say a one-year suspension is appropriate.
Huang: Marijuana is NOT performance enhancing. However, if the UFC employs the banned substance list consistent with WADA, then Diaz is in violation. That's just simply the rules. And while societal norms might have mainstreamed marijuana, and it seems out of touch to suspend Diaz, I think a lengthy suspension is appropriate, especially considering his multiple violations. Professional sports are not beholden to societal norms, and marijuana still is banned by every major sport.
3. Does the sport of mixed martial arts have a drug problem?
Jackson: I think all sports have a problem with performance-enhancing drugs. They help you win and they help you recover, so yeah, there is a reason they need to be tested for. I am in favor of random out-of-competition drug tests. I think everyone is capable of making a mistake, but if you're going to seriously address the issue, you need more random testing.
Okamoto: Yes it does. Personally, I'm not all too concerned with the drugs of abuse (marijuana, cocaine). Within the last year, however, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has committed to out-of-competition testing, and the amount of failed tests is a clear indicator of a significant problem. (The NSAC has fumbled on its execution of drug testing a few times, but nevertheless, it's exposed an issue). More consistent drug testing is an absolute must -- and harsher penalties for even first-time offenders should be considered.
Huang: Without a doubt. But I'm not the only one who'd say other sports have drug problems too. Look at the NFL and what's going on with Josh Gordon and tell me the NFL doesn't have a problem. So I don't see MMA as having any more of a bad drug problem than any other sport. That said, MMA already struggles with maintaining mainstream appeal. When MMA's equivalent of Derek Jeter tests positive for PEDs, the PR damage could be catastrophic.
4. Best guess: Will Anderson Silva fight again?
Jackson: I don't know. I honestly don't. I love the guy to death. If he decides to fight, I wish him the best. If he decides to ride off into the sunset, I wish him the best with that too. I thought he looked fine [in his last fight]. He and Nick both had strong performances. I wasn't like, 'Oh my god, this guy is done.' They both looked great.
Okamoto: My gut says yes. Only a very small part of me could see Silva walking away from the sport on the final note of a failed drug test. And even before news of the positive test, I thought Silva's competitiveness and the fact he can still make very good money would draw him back. Fighters tend to stay in the cage until the very bitter end, when they are essentially forcefully removed. I'm not sure if that's what will happen to Silva, but I don't think he's done as of right now.
Huang: I think so. Silva has too much pride to have this be his swan song. He's denied taking anything and sounds like he'll fight the allegations. He's a warrior. He wants to go out on his shield, regardless of whether he proves his innocence or not. At some point, when his suspension is done, I could see one last big fight against someone. Perhaps that long-awaited, past-due superfight with Georges St-Pierre?
5. What is the one fight in February you are most looking forward to?
Jackson: That would be, well, I guess I've got three fighters going. Any of my three, Iuri [Alcantara, fighting Frankie Saenz on Feb. 22], Rustam [Khabilov, fighting Adriano Martins on Feb. 22] and Holly [Holm, fighting Raquel Pennington on Feb. 28]. Any of those three I'm looking forward to most. If I say one over the other, all three will be mad at me.
Okamoto: It is a big month for the female side of the sport. If you're telling me I can only watch one fight this month, it's UFC's bantamweight title fight between Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano on Feb. 28. Right behind that is Cris Justino versus Charmaine Tweet on Feb. 27. I realize Justino is set up to roll, but man, Justino is coming off a weird year. She hasn't competed in mixed martial arts in 18 months. She suffered through an ankle injury, which she avoided having surgery on. I'll be very interested to see not just if she wins, but how she looks in doing so.
Huang: Well, I was really looking forward to seeing Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson, until he pulled out with a rib injury. But seeing his replacement (Ben Henderson) in his debut at welterweight is interesting too. But it has to be Ronda Rousey-Cat Zingano. Ronda and Jon Jones are in that rarefied air where they've won so much, beaten so many people, the possibility of losing is more compelling than them winning. Zingano has the strength, length and stamina to perhaps offer Rousey the toughest fight of her career. Cat just cannot start off slow, as she often does. It could be over quickly if she does, because Ronda won't let her recover.