If you want an opinion on performance enhancing drugs, you probably can't do better than Victor Conte, the former BALCO boss who did time for developing and distributing steroids to professional athletes, among other things.
So what's he got to do with mixed martial arts (MMA)?
Conte has been tweeting his recommendations on testing for banned substances following the UFC 144 pay-per-view (PPV) event back on Feb. 25, 2012, in Saitama, Japan.
The same event Quinton Jackson admitted to using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to prepare for.
According to "Rampage," he used the prescription to help recover from a knee injury suffered in training camp and while he felt like a dynamo following his TRT shots, he also retained a significant amount of water.
Water he just couldn't seem to shed, which led to him to miss weight for his fight against Ryan Bader by five pounds.
Conte says TRT is a problem, but he has a solution, which you can read after the jump.
Via Yahoo! Sports:
"Bet that Dana White is thrilled with Rampage about now. Is the UFC about to throw a 'Low T' party? Testosterone use causes water retention. Maybe that's why Rampage came in 5 lbs over the limit. Dana needs to hire VADA. Calling Dana White. VADA can add credibility to the UFC. VADA testing is effective. State commission testing is a joke. What's up?"
The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) is an independent organization "founded to offer and promote effective anti-doping programs in boxing and mixed martial arts."
From the VADA website:
Through voluntary participation, VADA aims to help protect the health and safety of athletes who are willing to demonstrate their commitment to clean sport.
VADA will provide confidential counseling and referral assistance to athletes at risk for performance enhancing drug and harmful supplement use.
VADA aspires to educate participants, commissions and the public about the risks of using performance enhancing drugs as well as the benefits of utilizing effective nutrition and training practices.
Other past and present UFC fighters with a prescription for TRT include Chael Sonnen, Dan Henderson, Nate Marquardt and Todd Duffee.
Unfair advantage? Or necessary medical treatment to keep aging fighters competitive? Who wants to bring VADA on board? There's a lot of different angles to take on this one, Maniacs. Let's hear yours.
More on Rampage Jackson's TRT use at UFC 144 right here.