Krzysztof “The Polish Experiment” Soszynski believes that the use of anabolic steroids, testosterone, human growth hormone (hGH) and other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) is commonplace in mixed martial arts. Soszynski asserted that practically every elite mixed martial artist is using steroids during an interview with Ariel Helwani on “The MMA Hour”.
“I would definitely say somewhere in the percentage of 85 percent of guys are definitely using, especially the guys who can afford it are definitely using,” according to Soszynski. “I would even go as high as 95 to 96 percent of the top level athletes that are definitely using it. You can clearly see it.”
The light-heavyweight mixed martial artist is currently working with the Ultimate Fight Championship (UFC) after beginning his MMA career in the International Fight League. Soszynski is an accomplished athlete who has participated in several sports and professions that have been associated with steroid use including football, soccer, bodybuilding and professional wrestling.
Dana White, the UFC president, has been on the defensive trying to defend the UFC’s anti-doping program. “If you get caught using steroids these days you seriously have to be a moron,” according to White.
Soszynski statements regarding the pervasive use of steroids in the MMA suggest the anti-doping protocols currently in effect are woefully inadequate. He believes that random, out-of-competition steroid testing would be the minimum requirement for an anti-doping program to make a difference. Currently, fighters are generally tested before or after competition. This gives athletes plenty of advance notice which allows them to effectively avoid detection.
Photo credit: MMAJunkie.com
Source:
Fowlkes, B. (August 17, 2011). Krzysztof Soszynski Says at Least 85 Percent of Fighters ‘Definitely Using’ PEDs. Retrieved from http://www.mmafighting.com/
