Hello, fellow maniacs! I think I’ll try something different than my usual fan post. Please add another fighter to the mix. Let’s see how many careers were changed.
Now this is pure speculation as none of these fighters have ever been caught publicly cheating (okay, maybe one or two). However, some results cannot be ignored. Yes, the competition only gets tougher as you move up the ranks, but some of these guys became shells of their former selves. USADA opened up shop in July 2015 and the rest is history.
A fighter
Eric Silva
Record before July 1, 2015 — 18-5-0
Post Jul 1, 2015 Record — 1-4-0
I’m pretty sure all established MMA fans remember Silva as the least recognized name on this list. Brazil looked to be the next best prospect when he burst onto the scene with a 40-second push from Luis Ramos. He would alternate wins and losses over the next few years, but still showed promise that could be trained into something special. He looked like he was in early 2015 when he defeated veteran Josh Koscheck. However, his next fight came two months after USADA arrived in town and he showed up with a much leaner physique. He lost that decision followed by a 5 fight streak with one win.
A fighter
Johnny Hendricks
Record before July 1, 2015 — 17–3–0
Posted Jul 1, 2015 Record — 1-5-0
The Big Rig looked unstoppable as he rose through the ranks, even increasing his stock in a loss to then-longtime champion Georges. This was followed by a narrow victory for the vacant belt. He would lose the belt to the same man who won the vacant title in Lawler. What followed was a weight loss in several fights and a promotion to MW. There’s no denying Johnny’s physical transformation. He went from a jack-of-all-trades peasant wrestler to a literal truck driver, giving new meaning to his nickname.
Chris Weidman
Record before July 1, 2015 — 13-0
Post July 1, 2015 record — 3-8
I won’t spend much on Chris since we just discussed his career in my last post. 7 of his 8 losses were by TKO/KO ouch.
A tribute
ViTRTor Belfort
A mythical beast that fed on the fear of its opponents. Still one of the top three tackles in the division. He’s a fraud, but I’ve always liked his style.