Bas Rutten talks Steroids and MMA

What’s going on with steroids in MMA? Many people have been getting caught using steroids, it’s getting crazy!

I hope that all the upcoming fighters don’t look up to these guys who use because let me tell you that it’s not about who has the biggest muscles, it’s about who has the biggest cojones. Fighting, and I have said this many times, is a MENTAL game. Sure you need to be in peak condition, but if that was all it took, then everybody would do it right? It’s about who can take a punch and come back after, who can bite through the hard workouts (without using a substance that makes them apparently more motivated), and most important, who can stay relaxed during the fight so that he can perform the best.

That’s the trick to fighting well, being relaxed. We know all these “Dojo fighters”, they are really good in training and brag all day long that they tapped this professional fighter and that professional fighter, but have never fought a fight themselves. I always wonder why? I mean, if you are that good, why don’t you fight? You know, I don’t wonder why because I know the answer, fear is the answer. The reason they don’t fight is because of fear.

The most difficult thing in a fight is to perform under all the stress; the screaming audience, your friends, your family members, TV cameras and the knowledge that there are millions of people watching. Again, if it would be as easy to fight as you do in the Dojo, everybody would do it; this is why fighting is difficult.

All these comments from those “Dojo fighters” mean nothing to me. Go and do it one time in a ring or cage, and if you do well, NOW you can brag. But you know what? If you are on that level, you don’t brag about who you tap and who you beat up in striking because now you are one of the fighters, and now you have respect.

The same goes for Martial artists who claim to have been in 500 street fights. They never fought a real fight against a professional, but they brag about fighting 500 street fights? What they are saying is they, with their Martial Arts experience, they have fought against 500 NON-martial artists. They should be ashamed of themselves making these kinds of statements. Go and do it against a pro and then brag about how good you are, but only if you win. Then you’ll have respect from me, and trust me, it’s not only me, it’s all the professional fighters. They all think the same as I do.

What is the one thing that people are afraid of most? The number one thing? I can tell you that it is speaking in front of a crowd. “Public Speaking” - look it up, that’s the number one fear! Now go out there and don’t speak, but fight. You’ll not only risk the possibility of failure and potentially getting embarrassed, but you risk getting seriously hurt in the process.

If you need steroids to perform, you should choose a different profession because fighting is not for you. You really think that the Samurais in the early days shot themselves up? I don’t think so. Please guys, stay away from that stuff. I can understand some power lifters and body builders doing it because it’s about strength and size, but fighting? Like I said, it’s mental.

I have to run now and go to my daughters. They want to eat pizza and I have to take over some “parental duties” for my wife. I am sure every MMA fan will be watching the next UFC show. Something tells me that the PPV ratings will be broken with a card like this!

Have a great weekend, I know I will. Have to teach a seminar in Oakland first, but than it’s time to watch! Party on everybody and Godspeed! - Bas