Anthony Johnson: Pay us like MLB so we don’t have to use PEDs
“I’m probably about to say something stupid… Either pay us like them and then we won’t have to use it, or let us use it so we can get to that level. One or the other.”
Anthony Johnson was recently re signed by the UFC as a light heavyweight, after being released in early 2012 for failing to make weight at middleweight. Johnson, who fights Phil Davis at UFC 172 on April 26, appeared recently on TapouT Radio, and offered some unusual thoughts about Performance Enhancing Drugs.
Jones was asked if he agreed that legalizing PEDs would create a level playing field. Johnson agreed.
“I think so too, I think so too,” said Johnson as transcribed by MMAMania. “When you got guys like A-Rod and all them. They making millions per game. We making a couple thousand. They look at us and be like, ‘Man that’s pocket change for me.’ So, hell, I’m probably about to say something stupid, but I’m about to say, either pay us like them and then we won’t have to use it, or let us use it so we can get to that level. One or the other… Let us do something.”
“In every sport people are using something. As long as nobody dies, nobody pulls a Chris Benoit, you know what I’m saying? I think everything is going to be fine. If it’s something that can absolutely help you, I don’t see what the problem is. Until that moment you go crazy on the person, whoever it may be, you can’t absolutely blame the… I don’t know… I guess it’s just an iffy situation.
“If you abuse it, of course you are going to get popped for it and do stupid stuff. But if you use it the right way and you just do what you are supposed to do, then it shouldn’t be a problem. But with the way the world is right now, hell you can… Everything’s all messed up right now. I don’t know man. I think if you can do it, do it. I don’t have nothing against it. You know what I’m saying? As long as you don’t kill nobody.”
“I told my manager and stuff, I was like ‘Dude, I know these guys work out hard and stuff like that,’ that’s what we do, but I’m like, ‘Ain’t no way in hell anybody’s supposed to go 25 minutes in a championship fight all-out like that without gassing in some type of way. Even if you pace yourself. Those dudes be ready for another three rounds after the five rounds. You know what I’m saying? I don’t know.”
“They got to be taking something. You got to take something, even if it’s legal or illegal. With as much training as we do, you have to take something. I mean, it doesn’t have to be illegal, but you have to do something, because you just can’t say ‘I’m going to go home and go to sleep’ and just wake up in the morning and feel better. It doesn’t work like that.”