Old School UFC Legend Oleg Taktarov Talks About Steroids

by Kid Nate on Oct 20, 2009 2:18 PM EDT in MMA News

And pulls no punches, from ValeTudo.ru (translation via the UG):

It was hard to grapple with Ken Shamrock because he used steroids. It was especially noticeable when he couldn't make it through 12 minutes on a practice, but before the fight with me he became much stronger and at the bout made it for 30 minutes. At that time, I realized that I can't compete with guys on steroids. Over all steroids are dangerous because of slump after the end of the cycle. Coleman was on the slump when was KO'd by Pat Williams. I had the similar story with Gary Goodridge. I fought him when he was pumped by steroids and after that, he was losing to everyone. You can fight these guys, but should have a good cardio and patience. Every fighter on steroids had a short winning stream for about a season or two. But they couldn't keep up with this pace. Kevin Randleman or Vitor Belford for example, who got under influence of Mr. Olympia at that time, used all you can imagine, and as a result he lost it after a series of great performances. Vitor had a great chance to build a solid grappling foundation by training with Carlson Gracie and other BJJ specialists, he had great training partners. If he worked for couple more years without steroids, he could utilize these skills for the rest of his life. It was very hard for him to recover both mentally and physically. Great example of the athlete who never used steroids is Nogueira and Rickson and Royce Gracie.

Obviously Oleg is talking smack about guys who beat him in the cage or ring. But some of them are fighters who have been openly accused or failed drug tests in the past. Back in the day there was no drug testing in the UFC or anywhere in MMA whatsoever, so it would be naive to think it wasn't going on.

Of course he goes on to name Royce Gracie in the clean column, when Royce infamously tested positive for steroids in 2007.

For those who aren't familiar with Oleg's heyday, read this installment of my MMA history series: MMA History VII: A New Phase in the UFC

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Does anyone know the whole basis behind the interview? I mean, it seems kind of strange to start printing accusations toward Vitor now that he has a title shot. Either way I respect Oleg and I assume Vitor is clean now.

by midwestbred on Oct 20, 2009 2:07 PM EDT reply actions

Those rumors having been going on for years about Belfort.

I’ve heard that Randy got his nickname the Natural because of his physique compared to Belfort’s overly muscular body when they fought at UFC 15, and Vitor was fighting at heavyweight.

by scrambledeggs on Oct 20, 2009 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess I should point out since somehow I forgot, but Belfort tested positive after Pride 32 in Vegas and was supended for a year and ran off to Cage Rage in England.

by scrambledeggs on Oct 20, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Kinda funny how little steroid talk there’s been about Belfort since his rise back to prominence.

by JRN on Oct 20, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Your right. There’s so little talk about it I forgot he’s actually tested positive.

As opposed to someone like Overeem who’s never even tested positive, but just his appearance stirs up constant steroid talk and Belfort who’s been caught never gets a mention.

by scrambledeggs on Oct 20, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Oleg “One Glove” Taktarov sounds a little bitter. Maybe justifiably, but bitter none the less.

by szucconi on Oct 20, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions

When does his book come out?

The Jose Canseco of MMA.

by BNeL21 on Oct 20, 2009 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

there's a big difference

namely that Oleg never juiced, was never accused of juicing, never looked like he was juicing.

Follow me on Twitter @KidNate

by Kid Nate on Oct 20, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

So he would probably know less about who was and wasn’t using than Canseco.

Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.

by ufc4 on Oct 20, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

While he adds more testimony to Shamrock’s juicing claims, he also has to feel slighted by his perception that fighters that beat him were cheating. Thats something Canseco didn’t have. Canseco’s motive was “I am trying to save my house”. But given the fact that he claims Royce clean after Royce has in fact tested positive it seems he is speaking on speculation.

by szucconi on Oct 20, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m sure he knows a lot though. These guys know what’s going on behind the scenes with other fighters.
Look at Mousasi coming out saying Paulo Filho is a steroid user. I doubt these guys would come out and make accusastions like that simply based on rumor.

Canseco had more dirt on people than anyone because he was actually injecting guys himself and getting them hooked up with suppliers.

by scrambledeggs on Oct 20, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I was referring to the fact that he seems to be

just pointing out everyone as a juicer like Canseco.

by BNeL21 on Oct 20, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Canseco was right.

'Ello G'vnor!

by IHateMMA on Oct 20, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I never said Oleg was wrong

In fact, he’s most likely correct. But to think he has intimate knowledge of how these guys were juicing, yet was oblivious to Gracie, seems a little far-fetched.

by BNeL21 on Oct 21, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Are there actually people that still think a guy like Shamrock was clean? lol at that.

by oasis77 on Oct 20, 2009 2:14 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

listen oleg, watch what you say or some internet fan boys might say you’re "bitter

by dickdigler on Oct 20, 2009 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

Steve "internet fan boy" Zucconi

He mentions when he got a raw deal due to others taking roids. Maybe he did and I don’t doubt it, but he is bitter. I am certainly bitter about a lot of things. Especially this week.

by szucconi on Oct 20, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

C'mon, Shamrock was clean!

by casey manrique on Oct 20, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

Just goes to show you that you should never just volunteer the truth like that, especially if there was nothing to provoke a confession. Deny till you die, baby! :)

I love me some Sexyama!

by pud333 on Oct 20, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

Wonder what the rebuttals are gonna sound like once those guys catch wind of this.

We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.

by Anthony Pace on Oct 20, 2009 2:42 PM EDT reply actions

But does Oleg know

if Tank Abbott ever used steroids?

by rzor on Oct 20, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

LOL

Not only did Tank Abbott never take steroids, but he NEVER trained!

by KKamikaze on Oct 20, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Do beer and hot dogs count as steroids?

Keep firing Assholes!

Never trust a man with no shirt on.

by Ubernoober on Oct 20, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

only if you're Babe Ruth

We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.

by Anthony Pace on Oct 20, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

horse tranquelizers yes. steroids? not so much.

█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z

by thetakeover on Oct 20, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Cynical people also claim Randy is on the juice

Of course, if he were, he’d be dead by now or a shell of himself like Ken Shamrock. A guy doesn’t fight into his 40’s when he’s destroying his body with drugs.

by cyph on Oct 20, 2009 3:34 PM EDT reply actions

Re: MMA History Article

Fantastic read, didn’t know that those existed. I look forward to going through those archives. Thanks.

by BNeL21 on Oct 20, 2009 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

It’s one of the crown jewels of the site.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by Scott C. Broussard on Oct 20, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

And there should be more of them. HINT F’ING HINT. I need something to help me procrastinate, damnit!

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Oct 21, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I am sure PED and HGH are rampant in mma. They’re ubiquitous in all other major sports, I don’t see how mma would be any different. And because there is testing doesn’t eliminate it. It just means the fighters have to plan their cycles better.

by John Nash on Oct 20, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions