[Diode]

Originally Posted by oats

I don't think it changes his legacy. it's fishy to me to think that he's managed to cycle intelligently his whole career and then slipped up in his last fight - he pissed hot in the post-fight as well. like, did he just get super sloppy all of a sudden? that's not to say that this was the FIRST time he ever took steroids, but it's reasonable to think that he was roid-free in his UFC stint. And coming off a pretty big surgery, being 39 years old - that's a pretty understandable context to be taking steroids in. clearly he was under a lot of pressure, hence the antidepressants/anxiety meds, and the tearful breakdown at the end of the fight.

besides, of all PED busts in the modern era of the UFC, fighters in those fights went 18-23-1. Obv there were likely people taking steroids who weren't caught, but at the very least it underscores the point that steroids don't necessitate success in the cage, at least not as much as just being a good fighter.

that's my take, I'm not big on moralizing PED use personally. athletes are incentivized to take PED's, really not that surprising. this one stung a bit, though

this was the first time he was ever tested out of comp though.