Joe Rogan opens up on USADA’s alleged EPO testing failures, citing UFC 188’s Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum as example: "That's crazy"

UFC color commentator Joe Rogan recently discussed the potential failures in USADA's EPO testing with his guest, Derek Munro, a well-known YouTuber who specializes in self-improvement videos.

In episode #2238 of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan revealed that, according to his guest Munro, USADA may not be conducting EPO tests on athletes. Emphasizing the importance of EPO testing, Rogan gave an example of the fight between Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum at UFC 188, where Velasquez suffered a loss. He explained:

“If they're (USADA) not testing for EPO, for example, and maybe there's an event in Mexico City, which is 7,700 feet above sea level, that place is brutal. That's where Cain Velasquez, who was known as probably the greatest cardio heavyweight of all time, fought Fabricio Werdum. He did not prepare properly.

"Fabricio actually moved to the mountains above Mexico City and trained there for like four months. So Fabricio, who speaks fluent Spanish and lived in Mexico, really got ready, and he beat Cain Velasquez that night to become the champion.”

EPO is a hormone that is naturally produced by the kidneys, and it can increase a fighter's cardio. Training at high altitudes also increases EPO levels, giving a competitive advantage to the opponent. Rogan continued, stating that at least for title challenges, EPO testing must be done:

“So imagine you're competing at that altitude, or maybe in Colorado Springs or one of these high-altitude places where we have events like Salt Lake City, and you don’t test for EPO. That’s crazy because that’s exactly where you’d do it, particularly if you’re defending your title or challenging for a title.”

Check out Joe Rogan’s comments below (5:41):

---

Joe Rogan calls for legal action over PED-related deaths in MMA

Joe Rogan has raised serious concerns about the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in MMA. In one of his podcasts, he detailed how PEDs can be brutal for an opponent.

According to Rogan, cheating in MMA through the use of PEDs is not just about gaining an edge in speed or endurance but about the dangerous power it gives a fighter to land blows they wouldn't normally be able to land. The risks associated with PED use go beyond just unfair advantages in competition, as it could potentially kill an opponent.

Rogan said:

"Cheating [with PEDs in MMA] is not about a guy crossing the finish line faster than you. It's about a guy or a woman landing blows that they wouldn't have been able to land had they not been cheating [with PEDs]. What if someone dies? What if someone is doping, and it's proven that he's doping, and the beating that he gives his opponent leaves him dying? You could make an argument that manslaughter charges should, at least, be filed."

Check out Joe Rogan’s comments below (01:12):