An Open Letter to Dana White

p19101 · 07-20-2007, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harms

Dana said Noah and Marlon will never be in the UFC for getting into a street fight on TUF cause he said it makes his sport look bad. I can't think of worse publicity than roided up fighters and yet he says it isn't his responsibility. Mandatory, random drug tests for all fighters under contract would really make a difference.

Glad to see that more people than me is all for this.

Cacti45 · 07-20-2007, 02:01 PM

Gross is the man

StratTone · 07-20-2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaledonia

Sure White has his problems, but is this drug inquiry one of them? Nope, not at all. Fighters have managers and trainers, its THEIR responsibility, Josh goes into some detail about the UK and Texas not screening for drugs as if White is using this as a get around to avoid any bad press relating to drugs. As if.

I have to dissagree with this statement big time. The only persons responsibility to not break the rules is the fighter. His and his alone. People need to be responsible for there own actions.

StratTone · 07-20-2007, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earvinarp

You may be right it is not Dana's fault only. But it is unquestionable the mma community and, specially, the UFC have a big problem in their hands. There is something out there that tells the fighters that it is better to use drugs and get caught than the alternative. That clearly suggests that the mma community needs a change of culture. And White can do a lot in that regard.

Well if we as a public of fans didn't want to see fighters anymore that failed tests they wouldn't return. If we boycotted I am telling you this wouldn't be an issue. Fighters wouldn't take the risk but why not bend the rules if they only know they are going to get a slap on the wrist? To me using roids makes it hard for me to respect fighters after that. To me I can't really look at sherk anymore and respect his record. Same thing with Franca, man I am dissappointed about this one. :-(

StratTone · 07-20-2007, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harms

Dana said Noah and Marlon will never be in the UFC for getting into a street fight on TUF cause he said it makes his sport look bad. I can't think of worse publicity than roided up fighters and yet he says it isn't his responsibility. Mandatory, random drug tests for all fighters under contract would really make a difference.

Very good point. I think you hit the nail on the head. It pretty much means he really doesn't care to much about it.

King Kameamea · 07-21-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrishMike

I think it is worse to use steroids as a fighter than it is for say a track and field star. In any sporting avenue it is wrong, but for fighters, particularly boxers where you are inflicting harm on your opponent, using steroids to gain unfair advantage over your opponent is unethical and in my mind should be a criminal offence. You may as well, carry a crow-bar into the ring! Sean Sherk, Bonnar, Roy Jones Jr! All should be banned for life IMO

I agree. Banned for life and thrown in jail.

pommysam · 07-24-2007, 06:55 AM

Slightly off topic but something I have been wondering for a while, I always thought that people inject steroids, in which case why dont they have track marks on their arms like junkies do.

sitnspin · 07-24-2007, 07:23 AM

You guys that are patting Gross on the back for this -- Dana's point isn't that the steroid problem isn't the UFC's responsibility, he's saying that he knows it's a problem, he hates it too, and he's doing what he can. Gross made these weird allegations that it's Dana's fault and he somehow doesn't care. What's the solution? As Dana says, MMA fighters get tested more than athletes in other sports who've been using steroids for a lot longer. They face stiff fines and suspensions when they're caught. Is he supposed to have them put to death to satisfy some lardass at his computer with a grudge against the UFC?

Also, let's keep in mind Joe Rogan's statements about performance enhancing elements that he made on Beatdown a while back. This is a sport where we're insisting on the ultimate level of performance, and the fans will accept nothing less. Then, after all that pressure, we turn around and condemn the fighters for taking extreme measures to attain that level. And if you disregard the health risks (because we don't care if our fighters drink, smoke, eat junk food, starve themselves to cut drastic amounts of weight, or take 48 supplements a day with no idea of the long term issues), this comes down to one fighter having an unfair advantage over the other. If that's the case, shouldn't we ban creatine? Fish oil? vegetables?

I'm not coming out in favour of steroids (far from it), but if we're going to point figures and suggest whose fault this is, there are a lot more people than just Dana White.

Josh Gross' letter was pathetic, and no -- he's not the man.

the truth · 07-24-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pommysam

Slightly off topic but something I have been wondering for a while, I always thought that people inject steroids, in which case why dont they have track marks on their arms like junkies do.

junkies poke 10 times aday Steroid guy like once a week or so therefore no tracks

earvinarp · 07-24-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

And if you disregard the health risks (because we don't care if our fighters drink, smoke, eat junk food, starve themselves to cut drastic amounts of weight, or take 48 supplements a day with no idea of the long term issues), this comes down to one fighter having an unfair advantage over the other. If that's the case, shouldn't we ban creatine? Fish oil? vegetables?

Man, you really seem to take everything about White very personally... Anyway. No, I don't buy your arguments, especially the above quote.

On steroids it is very easy for anyone to take a stand and roll with it. But the bottom-line is that they are forbidden substances for athletes and that's the end of it.

Anyone would agree that having protected sex with prostitutes is better than drinking alcohol. But the first is unlawful and the second is not. If we, in our sports, agree on rules and regulations, these have to be followed. So, the whole creatine and vegetables story really does not fly here. The day they ban avocados in sports, people eating them will get in trouble.

Now, Dana White, as the president of the biggest mma promoter does have to worry and do something about steroids big time. Doesn't he understand how fragile the credibility of this sport is, even without the steroid issue? If it at best frivolous for Mr. White not to pursue this issue as a top priority for him and his organization.

No more excuses.

comucazi · 07-24-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earvinarp

Anyone would agree that having protected sex with prostitutes is better than drinking alcohol. But the first is unlawful and the second is not. No more excuses.

actually no i don't agree with that lol. i think you can safely drink alchohol i'm not sure if you can safely have unprotected sex with a hooker, even a classy hooker.

p19101 · 07-24-2007, 11:41 AM

The thing is that UFC is on the top of the MMA food chain. Most fighters want to fight in the UFC. If UFC started to test the fighters themself, at random in between fights and at fights were there is no commission testing, they would still get the best fighters. I'm sure some fighters wont fight for UFC if they do establish such testing, but is that really a loss? Who wants the juiced fighters anyways?

I belive UFC has a great chance to raise the bar by establishing a testing comparable to the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations). If the UFC does it there will be pressure on the other promotions to follow. This could eventually clean up the sport.

Nimmy · 07-24-2007, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comucazi

actually no i don't agree with that lol. i think you can safely drink alchohol i'm not sure if you can safely have unprotected sex with a hooker, even a classy hooker.

re read what he said man he said protected. i thought that to til i had another look

earvinarp · 07-24-2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comucazi

actually no i don't agree with that lol. i think you can safely drink alchohol i'm not sure if you can safely have unprotected sex with a hooker, even a classy hooker.

Well, yeah, still safer than having unprotected sex, on a one night stand, with a woman you had never met before. And I am yet to find someone who died from catching something with a hooker, while I know plenty who did from accidents or comas, consequence of drinking. But whatever. Suit yourself. It is just an example of the point I am trying to make. Maybe you disagree with the example, but the point remains. Rules and regulations are set for a reason. And that is that people want them. I personally don't agree with a whole lot of them, but that is irrelevant now.

name goes here · 07-24-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

You guys that are patting Gross on the back for this -- Dana's point isn't that the steroid problem isn't the UFC's responsibility, he's saying that he knows it's a problem, he hates it too, and he's doing what he can. Gross made these weird allegations that it's Dana's fault and he somehow doesn't care. What's the solution? As Dana says, MMA fighters get tested more than athletes in other sports who've been using steroids for a lot longer. They face stiff fines and suspensions when they're caught. Is he supposed to have them put to death to satisfy some lardass at his computer with a grudge against the UFC?

Also, let's keep in mind Joe Rogan's statements about performance enhancing elements that he made on Beatdown a while back. This is a sport where we're insisting on the ultimate level of performance, and the fans will accept nothing less. Then, after all that pressure, we turn around and condemn the fighters for taking extreme measures to attain that level. And if you disregard the health risks (because we don't care if our fighters drink, smoke, eat junk food, starve themselves to cut drastic amounts of weight, or take 48 supplements a day with no idea of the long term issues), this comes down to one fighter having an unfair advantage over the other. If that's the case, shouldn't we ban creatine? Fish oil? vegetables?

I'm not coming out in favour of steroids (far from it), but if we're going to point figures and suggest whose fault this is, there are a lot more people than just Dana White.

Josh Gross' letter was pathetic, and no -- he's not the man.

I agree Dana is not God, there are limits to how much he can control mma as boss of UFC. (Otherwise his buddy Chuck wouldn't have gotton ko'd - just kidding)

Even if steroids are perfectly safe the rules still stand though and should be respected.

If its Dana's responsability to police the fights, then he could choose the rules to follow such as kicks to downed opponents etc.

lovetaps · 07-24-2007, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrishMike

I think it is worse to use steroids as a fighter than it is for say a track and field star. In any sporting avenue it is wrong, but for fighters, particularly boxers where you are inflicting harm on your opponent, using steroids to gain unfair advantage over your opponent is unethical and in my mind should be a criminal offence. You may as well, carry a crow-bar into the ring! Sean Sherk, Bonnar, Roy Jones Jr! All should be banned for life IMO

BANNED FOR LIFE????.... The letter had a lot of great points. With all the negativity towards this style of fighting, the public was just waiting for something to pounce on. It should definately be delt with but banned for life?! I understand the serious danger that the fighters are being put into but weather their opponent uses roids or not, that danger is always there,..!!! IT'S MMA!!!!!!!!!!! I think maybe a short suspension and cut in pay would be more suitable.

earvinarp · 07-24-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by name goes here

I agree Dana is not God, there are limits to how much he can control mma as boss of UFC. (Otherwise his buddy Chuck wouldn't have gotton ko'd - just kidding)

Even if steroids are perfectly safe the rules still stand though and should be respected.

If its Dana's responsability to police the fights, then he could choose the rules to follow such as kicks to downed opponents etc.

Look at it this way:

Dana runs a business (UFC) and his duty is to make it thrive. Anything standing on the way on this goal, Dana has to deal with. At present, steroids are challenging the credibility of the sport. Mr. White runs the biggest promoter of mma. Consequently he HAS to deal with the issue to the maximum. The UFC should start enforcing internal drug tests and put an end to this issue.

It is very clear to me. Dana can make any excuses he wants, but he is only delaying his getting a 100% involved, while hurting the business.

name goes here · 07-25-2007, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earvinarp

Look at it this way:

Dana runs a business (UFC) and his duty is to make it thrive. Anything standing on the way on this goal, Dana has to deal with. At present, steroids are challenging the credibility of the sport. Mr. White runs the biggest promoter of mma. Consequently he HAS to deal with the issue to the maximum. The UFC should start enforcing internal drug tests and put an end to this issue.

It is very clear to me. Dana can make any excuses he wants, but he is only delaying his getting a 100% involved, while hurting the business.

Steroids is an issue for fighters safety and the fairness of the competition.

But MMA is such a 'bad boy' sport that steroids doesn't tarnish what is already a sport fans get drunk and boo at. Those who are morally outraged at steroided atheletes being seen by children already hate ufc. Fans are either meat heads who dont care, and just see it as better wwf, or real fight fans, who will watch all mma they can anyway.

majestyk1976 · 07-25-2007, 11:36 AM

Is the thread link below the response of Dana White to this "Open Letter thread"?
Dana Whites response to Josh Gross