Earlier this month the California State Athletic Commission took the bold step of overturning victories for fighters who come up positive for a banned substance while the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) announced they were close to locking in a “major sponsor.” Meanwhile at UFC 97 Anderson Silva was accosted by critics for his mediocre performance against Thales Leites and an era ended when Chuck Liddell got KOd by Shogun Rua. I invited Mark Chalifoux from MMA Stomping Grounds to gnaw on these tidbits with me.

How will the California State Athletic Commission’s ruling that gives them the power to overturn a fight due to a positive result for a banned substance affect MMA?

Kelly-There’s an old saying-“locks only keep the honest people honest.” On the surface the CSACs decision will probably have its desired effect of causing fighters to rethink whether or not to jab a dirty needle in their arm, but only the ones who have an ounce of integrity in them. If a fighter is determined to give himself an advantage he will, no matter how Draconian an athletic commission’s penalties are. The Nevada State Athletic Commission already has this power (see Pride 33-Diaz vs. Gomi) and fighters still come up hot in that state after a fight, so how will it be any different in California? After all, it’s a 50-50 risk. If the fighter loses, then coming up hot for a banned substance won’t change the outcome. If he wins he has about a Somali pirate’s chance of getting busted because most MMA promotions don’t have the money to test all the fighters on the card. Even the richest organization, the UFC, doesn’t test 100% of the time. The down side of course, is the permanent tarnish on a fighter’s career if he comes up hot. Sean Sherk, Karo Parysian, and even the legendary Ken Shamrock will forever have their name associated with cheating, whether it’s deserved or not, for coming up positive for banned substances. That’s the real penalty, but plenty of guys seem willing to take the risks anyway.

Mark-Risks definitely aren’t worth the reward. However, the key here is doing something that can’t be tested. Baseball and football have mastered this (yet players still do stupid stuff, like steroids). The only problem with using something undetectable, like an HGH, is the person providing it getting busted. So if you’re in cahoots with someone you trust, go ahead and juice up. I do disagree that one test tarnishes a career. Thiago Alves failed a drug test but is still the top welterweight contender and has revived his career. It’s not easy and it’s a huge gamble but there will always be cheaters and new ways to cheat. No amount of fines or rules will stop that. You can limit it, or at least try, but you will never completely stop it.

Anderson Silva is to blame for the weak UFC 97 main event

Mark- In my opinion, the blame should be with the UFC and with Thales Leites. Anderson Silva was the champ and while I think he could’ve pressed a little more, it’s up to the challenger to make the move. Silva shouldn’t be blamed for Leites falling to his back anytime things started to get hectic. If he wanted a fight on the ground, it’s on him to take Silva there, not fall down enough until Silva gets bored and takes it to the ground. Leites was only going to win on...