By: Raul Rangel
SAN ANTONIO, TX, January 11, 2011 – When news broke out about Cyborg’s failed drug test some were shocked and some weren’t. Reading the list of comments on the threads and the underground really made you think about how some people view women’s MMA. Could this ruin the division? Could this discredit everything Cyborg has done? All questions will be answered in time; all you can say and know for sure right now is that Cris “Cyborg” Santos should have known better.
Cyborg made her American debut to the American audiences on July 2008, decimating all of her opponents in less then 3 rounds. When she defeated Gina Carano to become the Strikeforce’s first Women’s Featherweight 145lb. champion, many wondered who would dethrone her. Her last bout earned her the ninth KO/TKO of her career; she TKO Hiroko Yamanaka in :16 seconds of round 1. It was a fast victory but nothing uncommon for the reigning champ, but when her drug test came back her victory became tainted.
Santos tested positive for the drug stanozolol metabolites, a drug often common in female body builders to help create muscle. Considered safer to take than most steroids, due to it being in pill form and can pass the liver, it is on the International Association of Athletics Federations. Some other athletes that have been accused of taking the drug are Phil Baroni, Barry Bonds, Tim Sylvia, Rafael Palmeiro, Roger Clemens, and Chris Leben.
Not really a type of list list you want to be a part of.
Immediately afterwards, Dana White, co-owner of Strikeforce, stripped Santos of her title and said the women’s 145lb. division was looking bleak. Then the fans and writers turned on her, it became hard to defend her accomplishments. A few days later MMAprime.tv Cyborg’s camp released a statement stating “she was given what she was told a ‘Diet Pill/Diuretic’…the UCLA Lab states it was a stanozolol metabolites….Our doctor states that stanozolol metabolites have a diuretic effect, and could be used as such.” Now, I believe she did think it was a diet pill to help her out. But, here’s where it becomes her fault.
Whenever anyone gives you something to try the best thing for you to do is find out what it is, what is in it, what are the effects, and if need be is it on your banned substance list. Despite my sexy good looks and awesome superior body I am no athlete, but I do take time to figure out what it is when I have to take a pill. Luckily I have a soon to be nurse, my wife, to tell me all these things; but if Cyborg would have taken the less than 5 minutes it took me to Google the information on this drug all of this could have been avoided.
I feel no sympathy for stupidity and this was a dumb move on her part. She will now learn the hard lesson to check on everything before you ingest, stick in, or rub on to your body.
She will be seen as a cheater for a few years, the best thing for her do to is think about her mistake and how she could turn people’s opinion about her around. As for the women’s 145lb. division it may seem chaotic now, but hopefully this will give room for other fighters to step up and make a name for themselves.
By then, God willing, a smarter and improved Cris “Cyborg” Santos will return.
You can follow Raul Rangel on twitter @rrangel81 and you can also listen to his weekly podcast Undefeated Radio on iTunes.
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