Brian Bowles Fails Post Fight Drug Test

Brian Bowles is one of the most recent MMA fighters to fail a post fight drug test. Bowles failed his UFC 160 post fight drug test due to elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone levels. The official limit set by the Nevada State Athletic Commission is a ratio of 6-to-1 but Bowles came in more than 20-to-1. Bowles has been temporarily suspended and has the right to appeal. If upheld he could be fined and suspended. Bowles did lose this fight via TKO in the second round.

Mark Cuban to Fund Basketball Flopping Study

We have all seen it countless times in the NBA when a player is barely touched and sometimes not touched at all flop to the floor to entice a foul call from referees. Although I believe the players and referees are both responsible for this act and often times these extra phantom calls have an impact on the final score of a game or even the point spread. Well now Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is funding a $100,000 bio mechanics study on flopping in basketball. Southern Methodist University (SMU) will carry out the 18-month long study to determine if video and other records can differentiate between a true collision or if it was a flop. Former NBA coach and current analyst Stan Van Gundy recently said the NBA could end flopping and stated in the June 10, 2013 issue of Sports Illustrated, "If left to their own, veteran referees would simply quit giving those guys calls even if they did get fouled....The problem is the league wants the foul called." And what purpose would the league want with ridiculous foul calls that slow up the action other than control of the game. Control that could potentially fix outcomes. Although we will have to wait another 18 months, this study should bring to light some interesting findings. I think Soccer should do a similar study if the findings are worthwhile.

Are Major Sponsors in on the Fix too?

I am a little early with my weekly feature this week but this news just dropped today and ties into the NBA finals going on now which could be closed out tonight with a win by the San Antonio Spurs. CBS Sports found some interesting news about Nike, the Miami Heat and the 2012-2013 NBA champions. Apparently Nike has already crowned the Miami Heat 2012-2013 NBA champions even though they are down three games to two going into game six tonight. Pictures released by NikeTalk.com show the new low-top LeBron X shoes have inscribed '2-Time Champion' inside one shoe and '11-12, 12-13' inside the other shoe. So what happens if the Spurs win? Would Nike really waste all that money on pre-production or a possible recall? It's not like those cheap championship shirts and hats that get printed for both finalists of major sports, these are expensive basketball shoes that can be produced anytime after the finals are over. So back to my title, are major sponsors in on the fix too and know the outcomes of major sporting events? Let's go Spurs!

Should TRT be Allowed for Combat Sports Athletes?

Testosterone Replacement Treatment (TRT) has been a hot topic in combat sports over the last couple of years and recently resurfaced again in MMA news. If doctors find it is necessary for a variety of reasons and closely monitored then it is currently legal via exemption but many believe this is cheating and creates an unfair advantage for the athlete using TRT. Most recently in the news was Vitor Belfort who uses TRT and his impressive physique and amazing spinning heel kick knockout of Luke Rockhold at UFC on FX 8 on May 18th in Brazil. Belfort looked like he had been in his best shape in quite a few years and being 36 in the fight game some had to ponder the effects of his TRT use. Click here to read a recent interview by Fighters Only Magazine with Marcio Tannure, the medical director of the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission and the UFC in Brazil who authorized Vitor Belfort's TRT. What do you think, should combat sports athletes be allowed to use TRT if deemed ok by a doctor and commission representative?

Final Four NHL Teams Coincidence or Fixed?

Did anyone else notice that the final four NHL teams vying for the 2013 Stanley Cup are also the last four teams to win the cup? The past four winners were the Los Angeles Kings in 2012, the Boston Bruins in 2011, the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 and the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009. True, these are some of the top and favored teams from the start but is this a strange coincidence or was this manipulated to keep ratings up after a lockout shortened season? The previous lockout cancelled the full 2004-2005 season and it was disastrous for the NHL. A similar disaster was averted even though the season was shortened but good news for the NHL, Playoff ratings are up.

Former Tennis Star Jimmy Connors Wagered on Himself to Win Wimbledon

Former Tennis star Jimmy Connors released his memoir 'The Outsider' last week which touches on his roller coaster career in Tennis and his personal life. Some interesting topics that are touched on is Connors competitiveness along with his gambling habits. He stated that he placed big wagers on himself to win Wimbledon at a London betting house. This is oddly familiar territory like Pete Rose and baseball. I have not read this book yet or know if this is answered in the book so questions remain if he bet on Tennis often, was he always betting on himself and was he always betting on himself to win? Will we see the International Tennis Federation take any action even though Connors is already in the International Tennis Hall of Fame or will history be left in the past?

Was the 2013 Preakness Horse Race Fixed?

Was the 2013 Preakness horse race last weekend fixed? I am not saying it was or wasn't but it sure seems like one of those events you need to question. Orb, the clear favorite went off at final odds of 3-5 with the next closest horse Itsmyluckyday went off at 8-1. I can't recall hearing so many experts and casual gamblers alike all taking the same horse in one race. I don't have numbers to support this but it sure seems like everyone and their mom's were taking Orb in this race with very little action on other horses to win. The Preakness host Pimlico and OTB's worldwide cleaned house on this one race, so much so that I have to question it. Sure, a horse or jockey can have an off day or race but this favorite should have moved towards the end. Orb was stuck in the middle for a little but had time to make it's move and never did in a race that only featured nine horses compared to the 19 that ran in the Kentucky Derby that Orb had no problem winning. Something seems fishy to me about the race. No, I did not have any action on this race but I almost went to the OTB and glad I ultimately did not.

Boxer Dillian Whyte Suspended for Two Years

This news is a little late but boxer Dillian Whyte was recently suspended for two years after testing positive for the banned substance methylhexaneamine (MHA). MHA is classified as a stimulant but has been questioned if it should truly be considered a performance enhancing drug or not as it's effectiveness would be minimal if any. It very well could be ingested from certain food supplements and possibly energy drinks. Whyte says he ingested this while using the supplement Jack3D. He appealed the suspension but it was upheld to emphasize to other athletes the dangers of taking MHA. Advantage or not athletes should steer clear of things like this and keep clean.

Is Clay Buchholz Doctoring Baseballs?

On May first Clay Buchholz and the Boston Red Sox dominated the Toronto Blue Jays 10-1 behind Buchholz's seven shutout innings striking out eight and only allowing two hits. The scoreboard crew in Toronto noticed something funny from the video footage, it appeared that Buchholz may have had some sort of substance on his left forearm that he would swipe with two of his fingers. Although the Blue Jays did not accuse Buchholz of cheating and no one approached him during the game, Blue Jays broadcaster and former pitcher Jack Morris definitely believes he was cheating and also throwing spitballs. It very well could have been sweat and rosin but who knows. Buchholz is putting up crazy statistics so far this season going 6-0 with a 1.01 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings over his first six starts. Whether he was doctoring baseballs or not he will certainly be scrutinized from here on out.

NFL Linebacker Larry Grant Suspened Four Games for PED Use

Unrestriced free agent linebacker Larry Grant was recently suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season for violating NFL policies on performance-enhancing drugs. If signed by a new team he can participate in off season practices and preseason games. Teams will still need someone to fill his void for four games so may pass on him with other veterans or newly drafter players. Bad timing for Mr. Grant and shows you why you shouldn't bother with these things in the first place.

NASCAR Penalizes Team Penske

Just before the start of the NRA 500 on April 13th at the Texas Motor Speedway Team Penske was penalized for rear-end housings that failed pre-race inspection. NASCAR requires all suspension systems and parts to be pre-approved prior to being used in competition. Because these parts were not pre-approved they were confiscated by NASCAR, Penske drivers Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano were stripped of 25 points, both crew chiefs fined $100k and suspended for six races and several other team members were also suspended for six weeks. Penske Racing does plan to appeal these penalties.

Lebanese Soccer Referees Received Sexual Services to fix a Match

Lebanese soccer referees Ali Sabbagh, Ali Eid and Abdallah Taleb were recently charged with receiving free sexual services to fix an Asian Football Confederation Cup match in Singapore. These are high level officials who have worked games for the Asian Football Confederation, Lebanese top league and matches between national teams. Sounds like the referees received the red card this time for their violations.

UFC Legend Don Frye Alleges Brock Lesnar Fights were Fixed

UFC legend Don Frye alleges that both Randy Couture and Frank Mir threw their fights with former UFC champion Brock Lesnar. He claims the UFC hand fed Lesnar easy fights, pumped him up and then fixed his big fights. Lesnar is a wrestler with the WWE so he has that type of background and the UFC did make a boatload of money off him. Check out the second half of the video to hear Don's claims.

Former Cyclist Grischa Niermann Suspended for Doping

Recently former German cyclist Grischa Niermann came forward to admit his use of EPO from 2000-2003. Niermann came forward to admit his doping past to help fight for a clean sport and educate younger riders of his negative experiences. Although a coach now Niermann still received a reduced six month suspension that started on February 15th. Are any top level cyclists clean these days?