Popped: Should Performance Enhancing Drugs Be Legal?

Banned PEDs in MMA

Performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) have been a controversial topic in MMA, with many substances explicitly banned by USADA. These banned PEDs include:

• Anabolic Steroids: Boost muscle mass and recovery.


• Human Growth Hormone (HGH): Enhances muscle growth and healing.


• Erythropoietin (EPO): Increases stamina by improving oxygen delivery.


• SARMs: Promotes muscle growth with fewer side effects.


• Diuretics: Used for rapid weight loss and masking other PEDs.

Non-Banned PEDs in MMA

Not all performance enhancers are banned. Here are some legal options:

• Creatine: Increases energy for short bursts of power.


• Caffeine: Improves focus and reduces fatigue.


• Beta-Alanine: Delays muscle fatigue and enhances endurance.


• Protein Supplements: Promotes muscle recovery and growth.

Arguments For Legalizing PEDs

Many argue that PEDs should be legalized and regulated. Here’s why:

• Level Playing Field: Transparency allows all fighters access to the same tools.


• Enhanced Safety: Regulation reduces the use of counterfeit or unsafe substances.


• Faster Recovery: PEDs help fighters recover from injuries quickly.


• Better Performance: Fans enjoy higher-level fights with well-recovered, energized fighters.

Arguments Against Legalizing PEDs

Opponents of PED legalization raise critical concerns, including:

• Health Risks: PEDs can have dangerous long-term effects.


• Integrity of the Sport: Martial arts emphasize discipline and natural talent.


• Pressure on Fighters: Legalization may force fighters to use PEDs to stay competitive.


• Public Perception: PEDs could harm MMA’s reputation globally.

The Best Case Scenario for PEDs in MMA

Legalizing performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in MMA could revolutionize the sport by creating transparency, leveling the playing field, and improving both performance and athlete safety.

Under this system, all fighters would be required to report their PED usage voluntarily, with strict accountability measures in place to ensure compliance. This transparency allows non-PED users to make informed decisions about whether to compete against PED users, eliminating any claims of unfairness. By regulating and monitoring PED use, the sport could collect valuable data to determine which substances are genuinely beneficial, which are harmful, and how they impact short-term performance and long-term health.

Fighters could benefit from enhanced recovery times, better preparation, and improved fight quality, while fans enjoy a higher level of competition.

However, this system would rely on strict enforcement, with random testing and harsh penalties for non-compliance—including lifetime bans without appeal for failing to report PED use. While it is acknowledged that honest mistakes and tainted supplements have occurred in the past, examples must be made to enforce the system’s credibility. This uncompromising approach would push fighters to take voluntary testing seriously, ensuring their PED reports are accurate and up to date. By holding fighters to the highest standard of accountability, the sport can maintain fairness and transparency while minimizing the potential for abuse.

Although the transition may be chaotic at first, the long-term benefits are clear: a safer, more data-driven approach to PEDs that fosters trust and accountability while elevating the sport to new heights.

This system would not only protect fighters' health but also empower them to make informed decisions in a transparent environment, redefining MMA for athletes, regulators, and fans alike.