Hello fellow maniacs! Figure I’ll try something different from my usual fan post. Please add any other fighter to the mix let’s see how many careers got altered.
Now this is pure speculation as none of these fighters have ever openly been caught cheating(ok maybe one or two). However some results can’t be ignored. Yes competition only gets harder as you move up the ranks, however some of these men became shells of their former self. USADA opened up shop July 2015 and the rest is history.
Fighter
Erick Silva
Pre July 1st 2015 Record — 18–5–0
Post July 1st 2015 Record — 1–4–0
I’m pretty sure all of the established MMA fans will remember Silva the least recognized name on this list. The Brazilian prospect looked like the next best thing when he bursted out on the scene with a 40 second drubbing of Luis Ramos. He’d go on to alter wins and losses over the next couple years but still showing flashes of promise that could be coached into something special. He’d looked to be turning the corner in early 2015 when he defeated veteran Josh Koscheck. However his next fight was two months after USADA came to town and he showed up with a much softer physique. He’d go on to lose that decision what would follow was a 5 fight streak with one win.
Fighter
Johny Hendricks
Pre July 1st 2015 Record — 17–3–0
Post July 1st 2015 Record— 1–5–0
Big Rig looked unstoppable in his rise up the ranks, even raising his stock in a close loss to then longtime champ Georges. What would follow was a close decision win for the vacant belt. He’d lose the belt to the same man he won the vacant title off in Lawler. What would follow was missed weight in multiple fights and move up to MW. Johnny physical transformation cannot be denied. He went from a jacked farm boy wrestler to a literally truck driver giving all new meaning to his nickname.
Chris Weidman
Pre July 1st 2015 Record — 13-0
Post July 1st 2015 Record — 3-8
I won’t spend much on Chris as we just discussed his career in my last post. In 7 of his 8 loses were TKO/KO ouch.
Honorable mention
ViTRTor Belfort
The mythical beast that fed on his opponents fear. Still one of the best three fight runs in the division. He’s a cheater but I’ve always loved his style.