UFC 119 is in the books, and in The Sunday Junkie, MMAjunkie.com readers sound off on all aspects of the show, including judging, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic's future, and whether takedowns are overvalued.
But our weekly reader-feedback feature wouldn't be complete without a number of submissions on Chael Sonnen and the fallout from his failed UFC 117 drug test.
While many readers are quick to condemn the brash and boastful middleweight, this week's winner, Chris Wright, thinks the wrong questions are being asked about the use of performance-enhancers in MMA.
For his winning entry, Chris wins a free one-year subscription to "Fighters Only" magazine, the world's leading MMA and lifestyle magazine. He'll also be invited onto MMAjunkie.com Radio to discuss his topic with the show's hosts.
Want to submit to next week's edition of The Sunday Junkie? Scroll to the bottom of the page for instructions (and be sure to include your name and hometown). And check out all the entries below.
(Pictured: Chael Sonnen)
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FANS ASKING WRONG QUESTIONS FOLLOWING CHAEL SONNEN'S FAILED TEST
Since the news broke about Chael Sonnen's failed urinalysis, referring to it as a hot topic would be an understatement. Forums and news sites are filled to the brim with the latest news on Sonnen and the opinion of every poster – yet none of them are asking the right questions. Everyone has jumped in line to either defend or condemn Sonnen, but none of them are wondering "Why?" The place of performance-enhancing drugs in MMA is still unclear, and speculation is that a majority of fighters "juice" while few have gotten caught. We shouldn't being trying to determine whether or not Mr. Sonnen is "guilty." Rather, we should be trying to glean what his motivation was. Understanding whether a fighter's reason for using PEDs is for strength-increase purposes or for the mere purpose of healing up old wounds will help us understand the drug's place in our great sport.
Chris "NBK" Wright
Mount Laurel, N.J.
FAILED DRUG TESTS SHOULD WARRANT IMMEDIATE BANS FROM UFC
Many times we have seen fighters given leniency after failing drug tests in the UFC, and other times we have seen fighters ejected from the fight promotion for failing a similar test. UFC officials publicly have stated that they want to get rid of all banned substance abuse from their promotion. If a permanent ban comes to a fighter for failing a drug test, this is an excellent deterrent for other MMA fighters who may be thinking about banned-substance use, as well. Instead of small fines and short-term suspensions, hit the fighters hard and ban them from the promotion completely. What kind of a message do UFC officials give their current fighters when they see Sean Sherk, Stephan Bonnar, Chris Leben, Hermes Franca and other fighters given second chances for failing their drug tests? Stop the problem at the source: Once caught, they should be ejected from the promotion completely. End of story.
Jared Misner
Austin, Texas
ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY NOT THE ANSWER; MMA NEEDS BLOOD TESTS
Just as in all major sports, steroids will be a factor until changes are made. But zero-tolerance policies aren't the answer. Leading athletic companies such as the NFL and MLB throw down the same punishments that Chael Sonnen will receive if he is proven quality after his drug-test appeal. I am not saying the remedy lies with fines and suspensions, especially when fighters and other athletes are making the money they are now. It has been said before, and it will certainly be said again: Regular drug screenings are necessary throughout a fighter's camp – and not with a urine sample that is easily tampered with. If MMA owners really want it out of their sport, they will adopt a blood-screening program.
"Griz"
Warwick, R.I.
PUNISHMENT GUIDELINES, RANDON TESTING NEEDED IN UFC
With Chael Sonnen's recent positive test for elevated levels of testosterone, the world's largest MMA promotion, the UFC, needs to put its foot down. Fighters under contract should be randomly tested throughout the year by an outside testing agency, such as the World Anti-Doping Agency. All fighters should designate one hour per week in which they could be randomly tested, with at least one test weeks before every fight. While state commissions do a good job punishing offenders of their drug policies, the UFC should set up independent punishment guidelines to run alongside these policies. As it stands now, punishment is not uniform with the same offenders suffering different fates – with some fighters cut, some immediately back after suspension, and some on the shelf long after their suspension has ended. The UFC needs to send a stronger message to its fighters and prospective fighters that PED use will not be tolerated.
"mmablaster"
Chicago, Ill.
FIGHTERS' HEALTH CONCERNS LOST IN STEROID DEBATE
Chael Sonnen's recent failed drug test has once again brought steroids to the forefront of the MMA world. While many people are concerned with the effect this has on how MMA is perceived to the general public and how fighters are cheating to gain an advantage, I am more concerned with something else: the long-term health effects this has on fighters. I may not like certain fighters, but I respect that they work hard to entertain us and that some feel the need to gain an advantage. However, I do not want them to do anything to their bodies that can have long-term ramifications (aside from fighting in of itself) to their health. I don't want to have to read an article saying a fighter has passed away from long-term steroid abuse; however, at this rate, it seems inevitable that I will at some point.
Chris "BlackBeltInSmackTalk" Coburn
Detroit, Mich.
WITH CSAC'S REPUTATION, IT'S TOO SOON TO CONDEMN CHAEL SONNEN
I'm amazed how quickly people have simply written off Chael Sonnen and already labeled him a cheater and liar because he failed his drug test at UFC 117. However, is everyone forgetting this is the California State Athletic Commission we're talking about? The commission has been rife with mismanagement and well-publicized blunders. And as we saw in drug-test appeals by Sean Sherk and Josh Barnett, the CSAC hardly has a well-oiled machine when it comes to answering questions about its drug-testing procedures. Given their shady past and the high turnover rate of their top officials, I'm not going to make any judgments about Sonnen until more facts are known.
Dwight Scaggs
Denver, Colo.
DESPITE FAILED DRUG TEST, CHAEL SONNEN STILL REVIVED MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION
Chael Sonnen single-handedly revived the UFC's floundering middleweight division. Go back to the UFC 112 aftermath. Champion Anderson Silva had just concluded a third title defense in which he seemed aloof and uninterested in striking, which roused the ire of UFC president Dana White. Around that time, Sonnen was coming off two decisive wins over top dogs Yushin Okami and Nate Marquardt. Sonnen earned his right to fight for Silva's belt at UFC 117. Leading up to it, Sonnen promoted the fight with goofy comments, offensive remarks and everything in between, which culminated in a very solid pay-per-view buyrate. Sonnen dominated for more than four rounds, and despite losing to a surprise submission, his stock was never higher. And then he failed s drug test for likely steroid use. Gone are plans for a rematch. Now, however, Silva, Okami and Marquardt all have renewed cachet. They should all thank Sonnen. Stranger things have happened, I've been told.
"CopperHeart"
Westport, Conn.
CHAEL SONNEN LOSES EVERYTHING WITH FAILED DRUG TEST
Chael Sonnen, as all of you must have heard, has been accused for using performance-enhancers for his recent fight for the middleweight title against Anderson "The Spider" Silva. Sonnen's actions mean he bet everything to back up his words and now he lost it all. Not only did he lose another chance to win the belt from Silva in a rematch, but he also is banned from the sport for a year and forever will be remembered as the guy who almost defeated Silva – but needed drugs to do so. By saying he lost everything, I don't just mean his MMA career; by allegedly taking the drug and getting caught, Sonnen may have just crushed his political career as well. Heck, even his trash-talking is gone since he can't back it up anymore. It will be a long road for the former top contender to get back on his feet.
Kobi "The Hulk" Rozental
Ramat-Gan, Israel
UFC SHOULDN'T DIFFERENT BETWEEN DALEY'S AND SONNEN'S ACTIONS
At UFC 113, we saw Paul Daley's last fight in the octagon due to a moment of emotion. As ludicrous as Daley's actions were when threw a post-fight punch at Josh Koscheck, Chael Sonnen's should be labeled no different and, in fact, far worse. UFC president Dana White didn't hesitate to hand Daley his walking papers for an emotional mishap and should have the same "zero tolerance" toward Sonnen's pre-meditated advantage. In a quote from White, "So should I come in after they've already lost the ability to make a living for a year and been fined all this money and, in the worst economic disaster in the history of the world, fine them another huge amount and take away their ability to make a living even longer?" The answer is yes. White's standards need to be universally logical, not emotional, in order for the sport to grow.
"Andy"
Jupiter, Fla.
UFC NEEDS TO HARDEN STANCE AGAINST STEROID USE
Chael Sonnen is part of a long list of high-profile UFC fighters who have failed drug screenings, including Josh Barnett, Chris Leben and Sean Sherk. True, all of these fighters were suspended and fined by state athletic commissions, but only one (Barnett) was disciplined by the UFC. UFC president Dana White claims that further discipline by the UFC would be "kicking Sonnen while he's down." But what does this say about the UFC's stance on banned substances? Sonnen gets to keep the cash he earned for a tainted UFC 117 performance against Anderson Silva, and when he returns, odds are good that he will get a prime piece of real estate on the main card of a UFC pay-per-view against a notable opponent. If White really wants to take a stand against banned substances, he needs to stop coddling star athletes who break the rules.
"TheUltimateWriter"
Marystown, Newfoundland, Canada
"CRO COP" DESERVES RESPECT, BUT HIS BEST DAYS ARE BEHIND HIM
When a trigger is pulled, the impact of the shot is heard for miles. When age is added to the wear and tear of the weapon, it becomes harder for the shot to get off. At UFC 119, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic showed ever bit of his age and why some weapons pass their prime. Without desire, a fighter lacks the necessary fuel to win a fight, much less the desire to even engage in a fight. Filipovic has lost that "eye of the tiger." Mixed with his age, lack of ambition and overall talk of retirement, maybe it is time to let the younger, hungrier lions expel the once-dominant alpha male because this "PRIDE" was lost a long time ago. Legends are made to be passed on, are they not? Thank you for everything Mirko Filipovic. You will not be soon forgotten.
Ramon "mma_blood" Estrada
Hanover, Penn.
AS UFC 119 SHOWED, STRIKERS ALSO CAN BE BORING
Styles make matchups, but fighters make fights. Although stand-up fights are often entertaining, UFC 119 turned in more than one snoozefest. For all the discussion about how wrestling makes for boring fights, many overlook the wrestlers in MMA who consistently turn in exciting performances. Good wrestling will allow you to control a fight. Fighters such as Jon Fitch will be content to gain dominant position while favoring control over strikes or submission attempts. However, fighters such as Brock Lesnar will utilize superior wrestling to deliver punishment and consistently will attempt to end a fight. Although lay-and-pray fighters are rightly criticized as being boring, very few things will change that. If rule changes aren't implemented to discourage it, fighters might have to stop complaining and learn takedown defense. Until then, smart coaches such as Greg Jackson will have their fighters use superior wrestling to work for a win first – and entertainment second.
Jason Kinnan
Park Forest, Ill.
UFC 119 SHOWS NEED FOR CRUISERWEIGHT DIVISION
Saturday's Frank Mir vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic fight at UFC 119 has once again shown the need for a cruiserweight division. When looking at large heavyweights such as UFC's Brock Lesnar, Shane Carwin and Frank Mir; Strikeforce's Brett Rogers and Antonio Silva; and Bellator's Cole Konrad, it is easy to see the disadvantage for "lighter" heavyweights such as Filipovic, Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira, Randy Couture, Andrei Arlovski and Damian Grabovski. The introduction of a cruiserweight division, with a maximum of 230-240 pounds, would not only create a division full of exciting matchups, but it'd leave the true heavyweights fighting opponents their own size instead of opponents 30 pounds smaller. Every MMA fan would have an easy time thinking of thrilling matchups in the cruiserweight division while leaving the giants to fight exciting battles in their own division.
Matt Leisle
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
TAKEDOWNS OVERVALUED, ESCAPES UNDERVALUED IN MMA
Either standing back up should be rewarded the same way as a takedown, or neither should be worth anything unless damage is done. When an MMA fighter gets the fight to the ground, not only does he get the fight to where he feels he is stronger and can do more damage, he also score points with the judges. But the same doesn't happen for a striker. He works his way back up to his feet and into his comfort zone, yet he didn't score anything on the judges' cards. What he has done is given his opponent an opportunity to score more points with another takedown. If you get the takedown, and I stand back up, it should be a wash. Award points for the change of position – regardless of what it is.
George Wells
Ajax, Ontario, Canada
ALL WINNING FIGHTERS DESERVE POST-FIGHT INTERVIEWS
After attending UFC 119 here in Indianapolis, I got the chance to see a lot of things. The thing that stood out to me, though, was that after the Melvin Guillard vs. Jeremy Stevens fight, UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan did not interview Guillard. The group I was with was trying to figure out why they wouldn't and could not figure it out. This isn't right or fair to the fighters. They go out and put their heart and body on the line. All the fighters should have the chance to talk to Rogan after they win their fight, exciting or not. It's no secret that this was not the most exciting fight, but Guillard did go out there and won, and he deserves to at least thank his sponsors and give a shout-out to his fans. Just like a lack of sportsmanship is looked down upon, so should be a lack of respect by the company.
"Perfect Andy"
Indianapolis, Ind.
THE TIME HAS COME FOR A UFC CHANNEL
In the aim of growing the sport and creating additional revenue streams for the UFC and its fighters, it is time for the UFC to follow the lead of savvy organizations such as the Big Ten and NFL and create its own UFC Television Network. The particulars can be worked out by someone more informed than myself, but I would like to see the network start as a "premium" channel with a $10 monthly charge. I know dozens, if not hundreds of people, who purchase Showtime for $10 per month just for the six to 10 Strikeforce events per year, and the UFC's popularity dwarfs Strikeforce. The UFC would just need to have, say, two events per year that can only be viewed by having the UFC Network, much the same way the NFL Network created demand by carrying a couple games per year only available to its subscribers. The UFC is making millions of dollars for Spike TV and Versus, money that could be kept in house if the UFC had its own network. Would it be easy? No. Would it be profitable? Definitely.
Ryan Romanov
San Francisco, Calif.
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INDIANAPOLIS – On paper, Melvin Guillard (25-8 MMA, 8-4 UFC) defeated fellow lightweight Jeremy Stephens (17-6 MMA, 5-5 UFC) at Saturday's UFC 119 event at Indianapolis' Conseco Fieldhouse. 
Now that all this eye-poke drama is over, MMA fans can get back to the biggest question regarding UFC 119's headliner: Will former heavyweight champion Frank Mir (13-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) stand with Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (27-7-2 MMA, 4-3 UFC), or will he take the fight where he is comfortable on the mat? 
In his new MTV documentary series "World of Jenks," critically acclaimed filmmaker Andrew Jenks has already tackled the world of a hardcore rapper, a 20-year-old with autism and a homeless woman. 
INDIANAPOLIS – Following Saturday's UFC 119 event, Chris Lytle's recent accomplishments obviously were hard to ignore. 
INDIANAPOLIS – Things haven't always been easy in the UFC for "The Ultimate Fighter 7" finalist C.B. Dollaway. 
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic now will have plenty of time to finish his vacation. 
UFC 119 takes place tonight, and in the headliner, submission ace Frank Mir takes on famed striker Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. 
As a reminder, submissions for the upcoming edition of "The Sunday Junkie" are due Sunday at 10 a.m. ET. 
You could consider it a rite of passage for veterans of "The Ultimate Fighter," or maybe just veterans in general. 
Nine-time UFC veteran James Irvin (14-7) will return to his California roots in his first fight since his recent release from the world's top mixed martial arts organization. 
A lightweight bout between Tyson Griffin (14-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) and Nik Lentz (19-3-2 MMA, 3-0-1 UFC) is now official for November's UFC 123 event. 
INDIANAPOLIS – UFC 119 drew 15,811 attendees for a live gate of $1,613,337, UFC officials announced near the conclusion of the pay-per-view event. 
Chinese fighter Tiequan Zhang (11-0 MMA, 0-0 WEC) now faces a new opponent in his WEC debut this week. 
The upstart MMA Xplosion organization returns to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Oct. 9, and top Wand Fight Team product Vitor Vianna (9-1-1) meets former reality-show subject and UFC vet Aaron Brink (22-18) in the night's main event. 
Tagged as an overwhelming favorite entering his bout with Tatsuya Mizuno, potent striker Gegard Mousasi utilized his equally dangerous grappling game to claim victory and the title of DREAM's first-ever light heavyweight champion. 
Fans are invited to today's kickoff press conference for the upcoming "Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu" card. 
While this week's "WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan" event features one of the most star-studded lineups in the promotion's nine-year history, the company brass isn't relying on the in-cage action as the night's only attraction. 
INDIANAPOLIS – Sean Sherk got the win, but he thinks opponent Evan Dunham is destined for big things. 
A middleweight contest with a definite potential for fireworks is now official for UFC 122. 
It was at this past year's UFC fighter summit that lightweights Melvin Guillard and Jeremy Stephens first decided it would be a good idea for them to fight. 
INDIANAPOLIS – Just minutes after his UFC 119 main-event victory over Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, Frank Mir was hardly in a celebratory mood. 
INDIANAPOLIS – Sean Sherk, Evan Dunham, Matt Mitrione, Joey Beltran and C.B. Dollaway each earned $70,000 fight-night bonuses for their performances at Saturday's UFC 119 event.