Is the CSAC the Best Commission for Catching Steroid Users?

Over the weekend Sherdog.com confirmed with the California State Athletic Commission that Cheal Sonnen failed his post-fight drug screening at UFC 117. While MMA fans debate how this revelation affects the perception of Sonnen's memorable title fight against Anderson Silva, in addition to the potential rematch, there is another question  -- Does the CSAC have the best steroid testing?

Last year Cagepotato compiled data on MMA fighters who tested positive for steroids. Twenty of the thirty positive tests were detected by the CSAC and now we have another high profile positive steroid test detected by the CSAC.

Here's what I wrote regarding the data last year:

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.

Of course, this information is far from scientific (there are no controls) but California has caught the most steroid users. Does this mean that the CSAC has the most stringent testing? Or is it simple chance that a large number of users fight in California? Then there is always the issue of competence as the commission did a poor job handling the Sean Sherk appeal.

The data is sobering, especially if you believe UFC fighter Dennis Hallman who told Inside MMA that fifty percent of fighters are on PED's. Don't forget the recent revelation that former UFC heavyweight champion, Shane Carwin, was receiving shipments of several types of PED's during 2006.

If the numbers of positive steroid tests in California indicate a larger trend then it would call into question the efficacy of other state athletic commissions. It should be remembered that there are differences between how each state commission operates. For instance, Tennessee's commission only tested 4 of 22 fighters at UFC 107, a small sample size compared to most commissions.  A state official from a commission that shall remain nameless once told me that they won't test fighters who lose because if they lost then the steroids didn't help. That's shaky logic as the Sonnen case shows us plus Cagepotato's numbers point out that 18 users lost their fights.