Friday, August 22nd, 2008
XFC World Exclusive: Gan “The Giant” McGee Comments on EliteXC Heavyweight Champion Antonio Silva’s Positive Post-Fight Steroid Test - by Scott pinsker
Tampa, FL (8/22/08): The two situations are eerily similar: At the conclusion of a heavyweight title contest, the winner tests positive for illegal steroids in his post-fight drug test. And now the organization’s sanctioning body and the state athletic commission will have to determine what – if any – is the appropriate penalty.
Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva scored a TKO victory over Justin Eilers at EliteXC’s “Unfinished Business” fight card on July 26, capturing the first-ever EliteXC heavyweight championship. But after failing a mandatory post-fight drug test for steroids, Silva is facing a $2,500 fine and a one-year suspension from MMA competition.
“Yeah, the parallels are certainly there,” remarked Gan “The Giant” McGee from his San Luis Obispo, California training camp. When McGee last fought on American soil, he was battling UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia for the world title at UFC 44. Sylvia won, but tested positive for steroids in his post-fight drug test, and was fined $10,000 and suspended from competition for six-months. As such, McGee knows firsthand what Eilers is going through – and has a unique perspective on how to handle the situation.
“First of all, I feel bad for anyone who thinks they need steroids in order to win,” said McGee. “Professional athletes are constantly under all kinds of pressure, but that should never excuse this sort of cheating. As for Eilers, that loss should be immediately expunged from his record. If Bigfoot cheated, he shouldn’t be allowed to keep that tainted victory, and it would be unfair to Eilers to punish him by keeping that loss on the books.”
Despite Tim Sylvia’s admitted use of steroids, UFC never expunged McGee’s loss to Sylvia from its record books, nor did they grant him a rematch. Surprisingly, McGee doesn’t necessarily believe that Eilers should automatically receive a rematch either.
“Title matches are incredibly precious; the sanctioning bodies should always take the totality of the situation into account when they decide who deserves a shot at the belt. Nothing should be automatic,” McGee stated. “But if EliteXC felt that Eilers and Silva are the two best heavyweights in their organization, then doesn’t it make sense for Eilers to be in the mix for a second title shot?”
As for Eilers, McGee offered a few words of encouragement: “I really hope Justin keeps his eye on the big picture and doesn’t let the controversy negatively affect him over the long haul. I mean, I let my loss to Sylvia devastate my career; for years I was haunted by coming so close to finally winning a championship, only to fall short after my opponent cheated. Don’t make the same mistake I did: Get back in the cage, prove to the world how good you really are, and put the controversy in your rearview mirror. It’s the only way to psychologically overcome such a gut-wrenching defeat. Believe me… I know.”
McGee’s first fight since announcing his MMA comeback is against hard-hitting submission expert Johnathan Ivey. The two heavyweights will meet at Xtreme Fighting Championships (XFC)’s “Salute to Our Armed Forces 5” on September 13 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. Live streaming of the entire fight card is available at www.mmaxfc.com.
Copyright 2007 All rights reserved, MIXED MARTIAL ARTS XTREME FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS
