Strikeforce
Cris "Cyborg" stripped of Strikeforce title after failed steroid test, 145 lb. division may be done
Jan 7, 2012 - 11:30:04 AM Cris "Cyborg" stripped of Strikeforce title after failed steroid test, 145 lb. division may be done

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos tested positive for steroids out of her fight with Hiroko Yamanaka last month in San Diego, Calif., and the repercussions of that failed test may extend far beyond her. In an interview Friday night with ESPN radio 1100 in Las Vegas (via USAToday), UFC President Dana White - who has taken a more "hands on" role with the Zuffa-owned Strikeforce - said that "Cyborg's" license revocation "pretty much" puts an end to the Strikeforce women's 145 lb. division.

"We were going to hold that division and just do fights with 'Cyborg' whenever there was a new contender," White said. "She's getting stripped of the title. I don't know. We'll see what happens."

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker wasn't quite as quick to pull the trigger on the elimination of the division, and in a prepared statement he essentially chalked it up to allowing due process to take its course, and to not make a move before "Cyborg" has had her chance to appeal the ruling.

"Strikeforce has not seen the test results regarding Ms. Santos," Coker's statement read. "However, we have a consistent and strong stance against any use of performance-enhancing drugs. We also have a long history of supporting effective drug testing of athletes by authorized regulatory bodies.

"Therefore, we will closely monitor the matter and will work with the California State Athletic Commission regarding any information we may be asked to provide. We also recognize that Ms. Santos has administrative process rights under California law and we hope that she is not prejudged before she has the opportunity to exercise such rights."

Penick's Analysis: Regardless of any explanations or excuses "Cyborg" brings before the CSAC - if she contests the suspension at all - this positive test gave fuel to those that have always believed her body type as a female fighter was unnatural. That it likely means the end of the 145 lb. division is definitely a negative for those fighters hoping to enter the fray in that weight class, but at the same time, if they have one division to focus on for Women's MMA in Strikeforce, they can better establish a hierarchy in the field and build a more credible division overall. This is a particularly damaging blow to "Cyborg," especially the way in which she has dominated her competition throughout her career. The stain of performance enhancement may be worse for a female fighter than her male counterparts, in part because of her success and in part because her freakish physique and monster presence as a female was essentially her entire draw. To have it now likely be chalked up to steroids by the general public will kill that.