Gleison Tibau responds to McInnis PED remarks
“I am totally against any factor that benefits athletes in their income. In my point of view, only skills and training should have influence on the final outcome of a fight.”
The WSoF’s Andrew McInnes who fights Cody McKenzie at WSoF 18 on Thursday live NBC Sports Network recently said in a recent interview that fighting PEDs is hopeless. He further pointed fingers at several fighters, most notably Gleison Tibau, citing them on physique alone as being PED users
The Pissing Hot or Not game is not reliable. Some heavily muscled fighters with long careers never used, and some fighters that don’t look it do.
Tibau responded, via Facebook.
This Wednesday afternoon, February 11th, when I was going out of a practice at the American Top Team, I was surprised by the information that the fighter Andrew McInnes was interviewed and pointed me out when talking about doping, calling me ‘pumped’ and giving guarantees that I use banned substances to improve my performance in the UFC Octagon. I am totally against any factor that benefits athletes in their income. In my point of view, only skills and training should have influence on the final outcome of a fight.
Honestly, I don’t know him, neither personally nor professionally. I’ve never seen him fighting, not even have I heard about his fights. So I checked out on the internet and saw that he’s had a short career on MMA still. In all my life as a fighter, I had more anti-doping tests at UFC than the number of professional fights he’s got. I have 15 years of career, my name is in the history of the biggest MMA organization in the world as one of the fighters that has mostly stepped into the Octagon, within 24 fights. A total of 43 professional fights, and in none of them I was caught for doping or for overweight in my category, that is currently lightweight (155lb).
For all of this, I really feel sorry for Mclnnes pronouncement or for anyone else that says that I do something illegal in sport or in life. Anyways, I wish him success.
These type of statements will be increasingly common in the sport. Unfortunately, it is problematic from the point of view of a fighter to be candid. Tibau did not say he never used PEDs. Perhaps he never did. But in either case, it could be hard for him to discuss openly. And the “I’ve never, ever been caught, even once” response is not going to sway fans. In fact, it probably makes it worse.
The vast majority of top fighters have used PEDs at some point in their career. Even the few fighters who have never used PEDs may be reluctant to say so, as it could put the burden on teammates, who are often like family, to do the same. Admitting to past PED usage could have regulatory consequences going forward, given the research that they have some permanent effects. Further, admitting to past use could have major repercussions with the fanbase. Admitting to shameful behavior is tough; doing so in front of countless (former?) fans makes it far hard still.
We are at a time in this sport where fighters are going to make bland, general remarks about drugs being bad, without reference to personal use or a denial of use. Even fighters who are caught often deny it. Royce Gracie tested positive for nandrolone, paid a fine, and continues to deny it to this day
I’m on the same weight for the last 23 years, said Royce to the Fresno Bee on Wednesday in denying past PED use. I don’t gain; I don’t lose. I’m still the same weight.
In fact, according to ESPN, Royce weighed 175 when he lost to Matt Hughes on 27 May 2006, and when he beat Sakuraba on 2 June 2007, he weighed 188. Professional athletes don’t suddenly put on 13 pounds of muscle at age 40.
Anderson Silva tested positive for two PEDs, and issued a flat denial. Then came word that he had failed another test. He may even issue another denial.
Truth is healing, but the sport is not situated at present to allow much of it. As a start, fans should understand that a vast majority of fighters have used PEDs at some point in their career, and while it feels just to be spiteful when someone tests positive, the truth is more complex.
In a ironic twist, if fans were less upset with admissions of past PED use, fighters might be more forthcoming with information. Then we could get a better handle on the extent of the problem, and more effectively address it. We each of need to help foster a climate where fighters can feel freer to discuss the issue.
And in a complete, light, non sequitur, did you know Tibau’s real name is Janigleison Herculano Alves? Herculano is a really cool name.