Damn you Jose Canseco!!

View full size photo »

Cagepotato has an excellent break down of positive steroid tests in MMA and I suggest everyone reads it. 

 Here are some of Cagepotato's findings,

Steroid busts by year:
'02: 1
'03: 1
'04: 1
'05: 1
'06: 4
'07: 14 (!)
'08: 5
'09: 3 (so far)

Steroid busts by commission:
NSAC: 8
CSAC: 20
UFC's independent testing: 2

Also, out of the 28 fighters who tested positive, 10 won their fights the other 18 lost their fights. 

One fact that stands out is the high level of positive steroid tests in California. This could lead one to conclude that the testing is more rigorous in California as they catch more steroid users. The opposite interpretation is that California's testing system is wrought with error and that is why there are so many more positive tests. 

Considering the fact that Nevada has more fights than California the fact that California has over twice as many positive tests is an interesting finding. This would require further analysis as there is not enough information to make a definitive conclusion. 

WKR thought it is important to add another tally, this time for the actual steroids they tested positive for. Since a lot of the positive tests were for multiple steroids the total amount of steroids is greater than 28 (information courtesy of Cagepotato).

Stanozolol - 9
Drostanolone - 4
Nandrolone - 10
Boldenone - 7
Other - 4
Recreational Drugs - 2
Unknown - 2
4-Hydroxytestosterone -2 

There is a strong concentration of similar drug use with three drugs being responsible for 68% of the positive steroid tests. This data point indicates the potential of a steroid culture or concentrated source of steroid information within the MMA community. At the same time all three anabolic steroids are popular choices within the body building community. Thus further investigation (experimental/legal) is needed before conclusions could be made regarding these three steroids and their prominence within the MMA community. However such a strong statistical showing over a long period of time would indicate that these are the drugs of choice within the MMA steroid using community.

WKR wrangled up more information regarding the three main steroid culprits.

• Boldenone (trade name Equipoise) was developed for veterinary uses, mostly for horses. It is only available in the U.S. through veterinarians.  
• Nandrolone (trade name Deca-Durbolin) is very similar to Boldenone though it is used in the treatment of aplastic anaemia. Nandrolone has fewer side effects (hair loss, acne etc.) as it doesn't bind to progesterone receptors. Progesterone is a female sex hormone. Usually Nandrolone is stacked with another steroid. 
• Stanozolo (trade name Winstrol) - can be used in the treatment of hereditary angioedema though it is principally used as an anabolic steroid for muscle growth. Winstrol is also used in veterinary applications. The drug is classified pregnancy X by the FDA as it causes serious birth defects.