http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/8/1/971850/back-to-japan-for-josh-barnett Zach Arnold translates the news and the reaction of the Sengoku brass to Barnett's test results in California: This is fair enough. As much as I am utterly appalled by Barnett's refusal to fess up to using performance enhancing drugs -- and I'm sorry dude, but the third strike really is an out -- I'm glad there is still a Japanese market where Josh can fight. I'm also very happy that World Victory Road imposes drug tests. I really like the way they are building that organization, its a strong and welcome contrast to DREAM and PRIDE before them.I don't expect American fans to be pleased with their decision to bring back Barnett, but it's WVR's ability to re-establish the credibility and popularity of MMA in Japan that matters to me. If Barnett can pass their tests, then I'll be happy to watch him fight again. But if he wants to regain my respect, he'll have to man up and admit that he's done wrong. I'm also hoping that Arnold is correct that the Japanese media is giving this story serious coverage. I share World Victory Road's skepticism about the CSAC. While Bill Douglas' new regime has presumably improved upon the old disgraced Armando Garcia regime -- and I very much applaud their shrewdness in surprising a repeat offender like Barnett -- they still have a lot of work to do to restore their damaged credibility. Don't forget that the old CSAC testing regime was so bad that Douglas let his first shows as commissioner go without testing rather than rely on the patently awful system. Cage Potato has an absolutely great history of steroids in MMA and one of the key findings was that the CSAC far and away leads in steroid busts (and this doesn't even touch on their busts for other controlled substances: There's a reason that the UFC hasn't returned to California in a long time. Hopefully the Douglas regime can re-establish their credibility. In my opinion, the Barnett bust went a long way towards that. Meltzer has more on Barnett and the CSAC: The one possibility I will grant Barnett is that its entirely possible that he took an over the counter supplement that contained steroids. The evidence is so compelling that the supplement market is deeply tainted with illegal substances that the FDA has issued a warning. But Barnett is a professional and should know better.
could have? yes. likely? not with this being a third positive test in less than 10 years. its people like this thatmake it impossible for other fighters to be doubted if their clean when they have impressive wins even theough they havent tested positive and personally i dont agree with him being allowed to fight in sengoku right after a positive test.
I like Sengoku, and understand they need him because he is a big name and they are not as big as dream. But comeon, he is a 3 time cheat. I hope the backlash and illegitimacy that Barnett brings doesn't effect them, Sengoku is one of the good guys is far as I'm concerned. So while I hope it works out well, shows you how much of a "sport" it is for most Japanese orgs, besides Shooto run promotions, Pancrase, and several others I am missing. The shows in the Japan that come from a shooto or Pancrase background are great and legit, the shows the come from a Pro wrestling or K1 are freak shows designed to make money, any legit fights that happen are purely coincidental.
'Shooto' was founded by a pro wrestler Satoru Sayama . Pancrase was also founded by pro-wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki Dont get it twisted. WVR may talk a good game but there testing isnt strict. There is no real drug testing in Japan. Sengoku employed Antonio Silva when he was currently serving a ban from the CSAC.
