UFC 105 Preview: How Is Randy Couture Able to Remain Competitively Healthy?
by Luke Thomas on Nov 10, 2009 11:03 AM EST
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Captain America speaks to AOL Fanhouse and talks about his physical health heading into this weekend's main event with Brandon Vera:
You're taking this fight after an 11-week layoff: One of the shortest you've ever had in your career. Do you like having that little time between fights?
Yeah, that was one of the things I liked about this fight: It's a very quick turnaround and I was very healthy after the Nogueira fight, so it allows me to keep moving. The last time I fought two times in pretty quick succession were my fights against Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz [in June and September of 2003], and that worked out pretty well for me, so I feel great about it.
I know you get the question all the time, but how do you stay in good enough shape to fight twice in three months at age 46, and how much longer can you do it?
I don't know if there's any one answer. I keep my body healthy. I stay in good shape. In the last couple years I've spent a lot of time getting my blood chemistry evaluated, taking the supplements and eating the things that my blood chemistry says I should be. That's been the biggest thing the last couple years, age 45 and 46.
Is it realistic to think you could be fighting at 50?
Anything is possible. I'm not thinking that far ahead, but I'm not ruling anything out either. I'm just preparing myself for a great fight and I hope I'll have more of them.
Some of you may recall I had shoulder surgery in May to repair a torn labrum I suffered going hog wild during a set of decline bench presses. Coincidentally, my doctor/orthopedic surgeon is a huge MMA fan and one-time doctor for the Washington Redskins. We talked about injuries both professional fighters and football players sustained and how incredible it was they could come back from some rather debilitating setbacks to still compete at the professional level. His explanation was both sufficient yet hardly medical: "they're just not built like you and me".
In short, their bodies were capable of a function (and regeneration) that ours was not. I liken it to exceedingly intelligent people. If you've ever met a smart person - and I am referring to the elite of the elite who go on to the greatest heights of career success - they are able to compute and problem solve for issues in ways we simply cannot. We can certainly train our existing minds to maximize output, but the threshold for the truly and uniquely gifted will always be higher in ways that astound us.
I believe Randy Couture is physically something similar, but I cannot shake the idea that the genetic lottery doesn't fully explain his ability. Evaluating "blood chemistry" means what, exactly? I would never accuse Couture of using steroids or other illegal performance enhancing drugs largely because a) there's no evidence and b) I don't suspect he's using them. But I am curious to see how he is using medical science to aid his efforts. How close to the ethical medical lines is he approaching? What novel techniques is he employing to give him the comparative advantage? Is what Couture doing similar to other world-class athletes or is his regimen original and unique?
I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants answers to those questions. We are talking about a man who after a highly accomplished career in amateur wrestling is considering cage fighting until he's 50. Whatever he's doing, I'd like to mimic it.
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Does anyone remember that old UFC Unleashed special on Couture?
They kept referencing ‘modern medicine’ enabling him to compete longer and him being on Hormone Replacement Therapy. The program said or implied that he is taking Testosterone to get his levels up higher than normal older men. He’s not taking obscene amounts, just enough to keep him young. Tons of older men are doing this now.
You can take testosterone and have your levels still be in the ‘High" range of average. It’s not necessarily wrong, I think it is just not talked about. He would not piss hot because his levels wouldn’t be jacked, just like a normal 22 year old’s levels.
Oh, I forgot.....
They never replayed that special and I don’t think I ever heard anybody talk about it in the media…..does anybody remember it? I thought it was weird and treading the lines of what people would think is steroid use.
Joe Rogan in the special talked about how modern medicine is amazing and enabling him to compete.
I didn’t see the special but I’ve heard a lot of talk about it.
by ufc4 on Nov 10, 2009 11:25 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
OK, Good. I remember wondering why nobody was talking about it after it happened? I think the UFC is trying to sweep that under the rug. I have never heard about Couture and HRT or TRT since then, but I swear it said he was on Hormone Replacement Therapy.
From what I understand it did say he was on HRT. And I don’t understand why the UFC decided to air that in the first place.
by ufc4 on Nov 10, 2009 11:35 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Modern medicine is helping Joe Rogan compete?
by casey manrique on Nov 10, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
No, Randy Couture
The ‘him’ is in reference to Couture from the first post, before my reply with the information that I forgot.
He talked about Randy on Hormone Replacement Therapy enabling him to compete at a high level.
I remember exactly what you're talking about
I did some highly-cursory googling at the time and read that HRTs are vague and non-definitive regimen. They could vary considerably depending on the doctor’s diagnosis.
Anyone smart@ medical science wanna chime in here?
Well
He did just film The Expendables with Sylvester Stallone and Arnold. Maybe they gave him some “chemistry” tips.
by MMAInFeRioRiTy on Nov 10, 2009 11:13 AM EST reply actions
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/labtest5.html#
I'm old school hating Lesnar, I've been hating Lesnar since '08
This got me thinking about dudes sleeping in hyperbaric chambers and supplement cocktails. That sparked another though, oxygen. Now I am not aware of the effects of O2 on the body, but I do recall John Riggins gasping from a mask to recover from long runs. Why isn’t O2 used more in such a high endurance sport like MMA? Guys to a lot to gain an edge, including the “phil nurse recliner”. Maybe bringing a can of O2 to the ring to max your one minute recovery periods. or suck on a mask after an intense cardio session so you can go again more quickly? Just a thought. any idea?
What's a phil nurse recliner?
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Nov 10, 2009 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
MMA relies more on the anerobic rather than the aerobic energy systems. The more intense an exertion, the less oxygen your body uses to produce ATP, an energy currency used to power cell function in the body. I suspect that most MMA fighters that gas do so because they deplete their stored glycogen rather than being unable to take in enough oxygen to power their aerobic systems during the fight.
by Dropkick434 on Nov 10, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
This is almost exactly how WEC star Dominick Cruz explains it. It’s your limbs and muscle systems that run out of steam, way before your lungs….
by Jonathan Snowden on Nov 10, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
What Blood Chemisty
Randy sees a doctor named Dr. John Fitzgerald. When they talk about “blood chemistry” all they mean is “what’s missing” for optimum output of this body. After they analyze then they supplement with natural herbs, minerals and vitamins.
Oprah is now doing this shit.
Randy also does HRT and so does Bernard Hopkins.
Steroids would actually shorten Randy’s or any other fighters career… but the shit that’s available now which is not only better for your body and legal in sports but greatly increases the span of an athletes career.
Look, I’m no medical doctor, but don’t act like the question is out of bounds. It’s perfectly reasonable.
I’m also extremely skeptical that giving Couture acai or green tea drinks is what’s helping him compete into his 50s. My doctor’s point about aging is that healing after 40 takes a substantive nose dive in the body. Regeneration is not what it once was. So how is he able to put himself through two camps and two fights in three months at 46? I’m not accusing Couture of any wrongdoing, but what he’s doing is – literally – unparalleled. I’d like to know how it’s being done.
by Luke Thomas on Nov 10, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
lol… that was gold on the acai.
Have you seen Suzzanne Somers? Id fuck that chick til she’s a hundred.
There’s a science behind it but it’s not “steroids”. Brents post below explains it well.
If you google Dr. John Fitzgerald or “The blood doc” you’ll find his methodology… and this methodology and permutations of it is scorching HOT across the country.
This will revolutionize medicine and health care. Unless big pharma comes out with their lobbyists and make natural soybeans illegal.
I will look into it. Thanks for the tip.
by Luke Thomas on Nov 10, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
I have some magic beans I would like to sell you!
Doesn’t this just remind you of every other “fad miracle cure” that has been touted as “medically proven” or “Dr. so-and-so’s”?
It usually ends up being bogus or turns out there was some “supplements” involved…
Maybe it works, but I will remain heavily skeptical here.
I am the bastard love child of Junie Browning and Diamond Dave Kaplan.
Remember that episode of Sport Science where the doctor accused Randy of not being human.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
I think a lot of people (not Luke…but a lot of people I’ve seen talk about it) think that HRT is illegal in the sport when that isn’t the case. As long as his levels are that of a normal adult male it is 100% kosher. I think some would frown upon it so it is kept quiet IF it is the truth.
But as Luke said, something almost has to be going on beyond simple “good genetics.” Again, I’m not saying he IS on anything, and if he is I don’t really get the suspicion that it would be anything illegal…
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by Brent Brookhouse on Nov 10, 2009 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
HRT would give his body testosterone levels of a 20 year old. This will allow him to recuperate faster after working out and maintain lean body mass and strength. This has to be the reason he can still compete.
It is legal but definitely a grey area.
Interesting.
They also give testosterone in this method to men with HIV to keep them physically fit, boost their immune system and enjoy a decent quality of life. I’m going to look into HRT more.
by Luke Thomas on Nov 10, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
Yup. Randy could be taking extra testosterone, but manage his dosage so he doesn’t fall outside the high end of what is acceptable.
by Hardcharger on Nov 10, 2009 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
Michael Phelps - Blood Chemistry
During the ad nauseum coverage of every movement Michael Phelps made during the Olympics (pre-bong), there was one lenghty segment on NBC which covered how the USA team doctors would test Michael Phelps blood after every race and make the necessary adjustments prior to his next race.
Probably not the same exact process that Randy has going on, but possibly similar. Just FYI.
by BrothersGottaAndyHug on Nov 10, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
HRT is a lower dose of Steroids
Hormone Replacement Therapy is putting in synthetic hormones (Testosterone) to get your body to the level that you were in your 20’s.
It isn’t illegal, but it definitely isn’t talked about.
Testosterone is a naturally occurring chem. For you to get popped on a test you need elevated levels. You can take anything you want as long as you pass the test. So if he is taking something to bring him back to a normal level, regardless of age, then that’s fine. Even illegal drugs metabolize into natural compounds and the tests look for elevated levels. If you don’t have elevated levels then you are fine. Sure you may be walking a thin line, but thats the risk you take.
The “blood chemistry” thing isn’t necessarily any more complicated or sinister than just keeping a really close eye on any and all vitamin and mineral levels in his body – enabling him to address any potential deficiencies before they show any ‘conventionally’ visible symptoms. It does not have to be anything more than that.
Then again, I have no way of telling whether that is what Couture is doing. I’m sure he’s doing everything he can to keep his body in top shape (I’m not suggesting he’s resorting to illegal means, mind you) – and in the end, were I a betting man, I’d wager that he’s simply a freak of nature. We have Lesnar with his near-superhuman strength and size – maybe Couture has something similar in his ability to recover and perform at an age most of us would be shopping for walking canes.
by Monday Morning Martial Artist on Nov 10, 2009 11:43 AM EST reply actions
“The "blood chemistry" thing isn’t necessarily any more complicated or sinister than just keeping a really close eye on any and all vitamin and mineral levels in his body – enabling him to address any potential deficiencies before they show any ‘conventionally’ visible symptoms. It does not have to be anything more than that.”
Sure, but does that and genetics sufficiently explain his performance? That’s the question. Very likely, but again, I’m just asking.
by Luke Thomas on Nov 10, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
Randy Couture is like a mild-mannered Wolverine
He is a total badass…he heals well…he sometimes gets his ass kicked. His spirit is unbreakable. Almost everyone likes him.
Welcome to the Machida Error.
by slapjaw ackrite on Nov 10, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions
randy could certainly be blood doping
Which i’m not sure if its regulated in mma, but i know it is in the olympics and bicycling and running.. Its enfusing extra red blood cells so youre body gets more oxygen, could explain his cardio levels
by Austin Martin on Nov 10, 2009 11:49 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I think we should get a better understanding of what he IS doing than what he COULD be doing. We get into dangerous territory doing the latter.
by Luke Thomas on Nov 10, 2009 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
I know a guy, I play fantasy football with him. I look forward to the draft every year because he tells me things about sports I don’t really care about, but interesting facts none the less. About Lebron James and various number that make him a freak. Body calculations and things he shouldn’t be able to do, but can. He told me, it was two years ago mind you, that the latest thing was doping with your own blood. Taking blood out, preserving it (which is the new part), and getting it put back after your body has replaced the red cells. There is no test for this, nor can there be since the cells are yours. He said this was an issue with cycling. I don’t think this could help Randy, but its valid to the topic of blood doping. Anything that can’t be tested in urine, these guys can take. Correct me if I am wrong, but they only do pee tests.
I have two friends who go to a shady Dr. who does full blood work. He evaluates all the levels and then prescribes them a cocktail of shit. I won’t even claim to know the details even though my friends have tried explaining it to me. HGH and Test are definitely a part of it. They are of the growing thought-process that properly administered steroids and HGH are the wave of the future. And I’ll be damned; both of them look 10x better than they did in High School.
I think there are 3 possible explanations for Couture’s performance:
1) He uses drugs/supplements both legal and illegal
2) He is genetically gifted and doesn’t need drugs
3) He started his fight career way later than most people and therefore has an abnormal career-arc, due to less wear-and-tear.
I have no idea what the answer is, but I think it’s foolish to ignore the possibilities of illicit means of career-enhancement. It’s also foolish to ignore the possibilities of uncanny genetics. Either way, discussions like these are fun to have.
BOOSH
^
Obviously not nearly as old as Randy, but still – they have no real reason to have any of this work done. Strictly vanity. But if they can find doctors who do this, I am sure an elite athlete could get something or someone even better.
BOOSH
Blood chem
If anyone can go back and look at the promo/pre fight piece done before the Gonzaga fight, I remember the segment they did on Randy. The blood chem thing was basically monitoring the blood acidity and trying to buffer the acid levels in his blood. I am assuming it has some validity regarding Lactic acid buildup, but they did reference this in the extended promo piece for that fight.
by MusicCityBeatdown on Nov 10, 2009 12:10 PM EST reply actions
When Physicality and Mentality combine...
In 1993, a 55-year-old Tarahumara showed up at the high-altitude 100 mile ultramarathon in Leadville, Colorado and won, running in sandals made from old tires.
He comes from a tribe of runners where the accepted belief is that the older you get, the better runner you become. Beliefs play a huge part in allowing us to acheive the maximum from ourselves physically.
For most of us, our subconscious mind will expect us to deteriorate physically at a certain age due to the beliefs instilled in us through our lives. People don’t come much stronger mentally than Randy, and if he has trained his mind to reject commonly held conceptions then who knows how long he will be able to fight for.
Obviously the mind is not the only thing to it; But it is a major component in maintaining vitality into what we regard as our mature years.
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Nov 10, 2009 12:12 PM EST reply actions
HRT using testosterone or other banned substances is not allowable, at least not in Nevada. From the NSAC regulations :
PROHIBITED ACTS; DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
NAC 467.850 Administration or use of alcohol, stimulants, drugs or injections; urinalysis or chemical tests; disciplinary action. (NRS 467.030)
1. The administration of or use of any:
(a) Alcohol;
(b) Stimulant; or
© Drug or injection that has not been approved by the Commission, including, but not limited to, the drugs or injections listed in subsection 2, in any part of the body, either before or during a contest or exhibition, to or by any unarmed combatant, is prohibited.
2. The following types of drugs, injections or stimulants are prohibited pursuant to subsection 1:
(a) Afrinol or any other product that is pharmaceutically similar to Afrinol.
(b) Co-Tylenol or any other product that is pharmaceutically similar to Co-Tylenol.
© A product containing an antihistamine and a decongestant.
(d) A decongestant other than a decongestant listed in subsection 4.
(e) Any over-the-counter drug for colds, coughs or sinuses other than those drugs listed in subsection 4. This paragraph includes, but is not limited to, Ephedrine, Phenylpropanolamine, and Mahuang and derivatives of Mahuang.
(f) Any drug identified on the most current edition of the Prohibited List published by the World Anti-Doping Agency, which is hereby adopted by reference. The most current edition of the Prohibited List may be obtained, free of charge, at the Internet address www.wada-ama.org.
Not surprisingly, things like testosterone are on the banned substance list from WADA. The important comment in the WADA guidelines is about “exogenous origin”:
In all cases, and at any concentration, the Athlete’s Sample will be deemed to contain a Prohibited Substance and the laboratory will report an Adverse Analytical Finding if, based on any reliable analytical method (e.g. IRMS), the laboratory can show that the Prohibited Substance is of exogenous origin. In such case, no further investigation is necessary.
The main point is that Couture (or anyone else) could be using banned substances and coming in under the limit that would trigger a positive test. It’t not a grey area, and it’s not “legal” in the sense that it’s allowed by the athletic commission. The one possible argument would for it being allowed (at least by WADA) would be a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). According to WADA (click on “What are the criteria for grantiing a TUE?”),
The criteria are:
* The athlete would experience significant health problems without taking the prohibited substance or method
* The therapeutic use of the substance would not produce significant enhancement of performance, and
* There is no reasonable therapeutic alternative to the use of the otherwise prohibited substance or method.
The problem with arguing in support of a TUE for hormone replacement therapy is that the entire purpose would be to “produce significant enhancement of performance” by increasing androgen levels.
The main issue here is getting caught and whether an athletic commission felt like pursuing a case for use of steroids even if the levels were below those set at triggering a positive test. Use is what’s prohibited, but the standard typically used to determine use is the threshold levels stipulated by the atheletic commission.
by mma_critic on Nov 10, 2009 12:16 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
missed a source
The second block quote comes from here: http://www.wada-ama.org/Documents/World_Anti-Doping_Program/WADP-Prohibited-list/WADA_Prohibited_List_2009_EN.pdf
by mma_critic on Nov 10, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
Good post
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Nov 10, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4408143&name=mma
NSAC allows people with doctors notes to use HRT as long as the reason is to get back to baseline. I don’t have time to search other links but there are people from NSAC on the record about it too.
Should also note there’s no evidence at all Randy does it besides Joe Rogan making a general comment about what athletes do these days on ESPN.
by Michael Rome on Nov 10, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
Not insinuating Randy does it...
Just responding to the previous claims in the comments. I’m trying to find out more about NSAC therapeutic use exemptions. I suspect the real issue is what’s considered “baseline.” When the Chris Benoit tragedy happened, news coverage mentioned he was on doctor-prescribed testosterone (supposedly to bring him back to baseline) because years of rampant steroid abuse left his body under-producing. Not alleging either Dan or Randy is on steroids, but I would suspect (hope) athletic commissions use a more discriminating definition of “baseline” than “doesn’t produce a positive test under our standards.”
by mma_critic on Nov 10, 2009 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
Captain America uses a super-soldier serum to stay alive!.
for all intents and purposes, just consider all my posts as works of satire.
by Bandaka on Nov 10, 2009 12:17 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Super Serum
Nice “Well Read Idiot” … I was searching for this response and you pulled it out at the end of the chain. Nice. I really wish he would just adopt the persona and carry a shield.
Blood Analysis
1. I agree with the premise of this article, that there are superhumans and then there are superhumans. While Kobe Bryant is a freak of nature, when he is 46, I doubt he will dunk like an 18 year old. Aka, Michael Jordan syndrome. Jordan played late in his career, and while still performing well, he didn’t perform the same way he did in his prime.
2. Luke Thomas … Awesome comment. I agree that acai and tea will not make that signficant of a boost.
3. What i think Couture is referring to here is the “Blood Type Diet” … wiki it. This diet analyzes your blood type and suggests foods that complement your unique blood type. I adhere to this diet myself and have noticed dramatic gains in my energy and mental sharpness. However, I won’t go so far as saying that I could wear a stretchy suit and fight crime at age 46. Then again, I don’t have the top level physicians, nutritionists, and trainers to optimize my blood cocktail.
4. Also, this could just be his wife. HOOOOT. That would get me up in the morning Incredible Hulk style.
Whatever he’s doing, I’d like to mimic it.
I would too. But I am weak and I have too many vices.
It definitely is amazing just how much Randy can push his body. I’m thirty-one, and I find everything just aches at times and it takes much longer for me to recoup. If I had been through a fight like he had with Nog, I’d be out for months. And I consider myself to be in pretty good shape: I exercise and run three times a week, I hike, etc. Randy is just in another league. The comparison to brilliant people is apt. Randy’s natural gifts do lend to his continued athleticism, but he’s definitely aided by the best that science can offer. It’s one thing if Randy were just a regular civilian doing office work, but completely another to be in a cage. I don’t know how long Randy can hang with the young guys; Vera is a good test. Regardless, I figure Randy has a good couple of years afterwards to hang around and do some money fights on the senior circuit.
I love me some Sexyama!
When Calvin Pace annoucned he was training at XC I posted this:
How many Xtreme Couture fighters have been popped for PEDs?
Stephan Bonnar trains there now, but joined a year after his bust. Vitor Belfort got caught at Pride 32, but that was before he trained at XC. James Thompson has admitted to using steroids, but that was prior to his MMA career.
(Chris Leben used to train with Randy at Team Quest, but was obviously long gone by the time he got caught.)
Seems like these NFL players have a lot to learn at Xtreme Couture.
Whoa – there are TWO explanations for what’s going on at XC:
1. They have a no-PEDs policy that Randy enforces with an iron fist
2. They have a good program for avoiding testing positive
I’m far more likely to believe the first, but with so many former users there, there’s always a chance it’s the second. Let’s hope not.
I’m not saying Randy uses – I love the guy and hope that he doesn’t. But DAMN if there aren’t a lot of people at his gym that could be, have been, or don’t seem to get caught any more.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.
by jemaleddin on Nov 10, 2009 12:58 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
CAN AN;YONE ELSE COMMENT ON THE OLD COUTURE UFC UNLEASHED WITH HRT TALKS?
I SWEAR I saw an episode of UFC Unleashed where they talked about Couture being on Hormone Replacement Therapy. Did anybody else? It would’ve been around the first/second season of TUF before they got really big.
i love randy too, but this HRT seems unatural and unfair too me. i know that he still has to put the work in and and even if he was using straight up HGH he couldn’t do what he’s done without hard work and sheer will power, but if he’s using it to enhance him anyway besides naturally, then it feels unfair, unless he is fighting other guys that are in thier 40’s using the same thing. what are peoples biggest worries about using ped’s?
#1-the ahtelete is cheating to gain an edge or
- worried about the atheletes health, mentally and physically.
for most fans i think it’s #1, but for the experts it seems to be #2
LUKE- i think you opened up a big can of worms, but one that is very much worth opening.:)
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