UFC commentator guarantees: 'MMA is a steroid epidemic'

Joe Rogan (photo) has been a UFC commentator since 1997. Photo: Disclosure

Official UFC commentator, Joe Rogan has not adopted a politically correct or even protective stance towards the company he works for or the sport he has covered for almost two decades. Commenting on the recent wave of doping scandals, the biggest exponent of which was the positive test for anabolic steroids by the former Brazilian champion Anderson Silva, Rogan did not shy away from the controversy and classified the use of illegal substances in the sport as epidemic.

See too

Anderson Silva is caught in a new anti-doping test, says website

WSOF Canadian accuses Gleison Tibau of doping: 'His urine glows in the dark'

Understand the main points surrounding Anderson Silva's controversial doping before UFC 183

Hector Lombard is caught in a doping test for using anabolic steroids

Ronda demands strictness against doping and blasts Cyborg: 'She's a cheat, a fraud'

“The UFC, and MMA in general, is a steroid epidemic. They started doing these very rigorous tests, and everyone is getting caught. People are getting caught everywhere. This is something that fighters have been saying for a long time, that everyone uses steroids, or at least a large percentage. Give a number… 50,60 (percent)… Whatever the sh*t, that’s how much they’re using steroids”, said the commentator on his personal podcast, “Joe Rogan’s Experience”.

Rogan even tried to explain why he believes so many athletes use anabolic steroids. For the commentator, the explanation is not in the fights, but in the intense training routine. “You have to work on your wrestling, kickboxing and jiu-jitsu. There is no time in the day, and there is no time for you to recover. So, that's where 'Dr. Feel Good’ (steroids) come in,” he explained.

Furthermore, talking about the specific case of Anderson Silva, Rogan said he believes the Brazilian used illegal substances to speed up the recovery process for his fractured leg. "So he (Anderson Silva) is 39 years old, broke his leg and is taking a long time to recover. Either you take steroids and recover in nine months instead of 15 or you know the rest… That may be what is happening, but the reality is that it is illegal. You can not do that. If it takes 15 months, the excuse can't be: 'I'm going to take some illegal drugs to recover faster. That's the only reason to take these drugs. Don't worry about it, I'll be fine'. No, you can never use steroids”, he concluded.

Anderson Silva was caught using Drostanolone and Androsterone in a surprise anti-doping test carried out on January 9th. According to the “MMA Junkie” website, Spider also tested positive in the exam carried out after the fight against Nick Diaz, on January 31st, at UFC 183. In the meantime, the Brazilian took another test, which returned with negative results.