MattM316

Five MMA Fighters Who Beat Addiction - Cagepotato


When athletes beat addiction, considering the hard work they need to put in to compete at a decent level, it somehow seems even more inspiring.

Bluebird1927

Interesting read. Just shows addiction can affect anyone

UnixBer

That's inspiring. MMA is the best. This may just be more evidence on the fact that people who have actually beat addiction and made themselves something more are stronger than "common people" with no addiction behind them.

BlueFrancis

I didn't know about Lyle Beerbohm.

You can add to this:

Ian McCall (Current UFC flyweight): competing now after addiction to oxycodone. He, like Court McGee, once took an overdose which stopped his heart. Luckily medical professionals were able to revive him.

Tim Means (Current UFC lightweight): competing now after a painkiller addiction that culminated in a gun shot wound and a 2 year prison sentance.

It was a shame Karo Parisyen and Paolo Filho never got their pain killer addictions under control as both these guys were elite at the peak of their careers.

My favourite MMA fighter Evan Tanner struggled with drug addiction and alcoholism and eventually got clean. He apparently died sober from heat exhaustion while meditating in the desert. His philosophies are very inspiring.

MattM316

Yeah I knew Ian McCall had some issues. It's a real shame about Karo Parisyan because I really liked him as a fighter when he first started in the UFC.
I think the last time I saw him was against Dennis Hallman and that was just an embarassment.
Tanner's death was a shame, I know people had warned him about going out in the desert alone beforehand. Also a shame that one of the things he'll most be remembered for is getting slammed unconcious by Tito Ortiz.

BlueFrancis

headbutted unconcious by tito ortiz?

karo was awesome, i love judo in MMA.

karate

And pro fighters ,ill bet are pescribed alot of pain meds .

I dont know if everyone else has trained at an extreme level ,but i used to train at a gym where MMA fighters and boxers trained and the training alone is enough to get you injured .

Pain is part of daily life if you train hard .

MattM316

Yeah a scary amount of pro-wrestlers have died from issues stemming from pain pill addiction too.
Obviously pro-wrestling is choreographed but the amount of punishment their bodies take is ridiculous.

BlueFrancis

Yup. The only thing that's a joke about pro-wrestling is the production. Sakuraba, Fujita, Severn, Shamrock, Frye, Lesnar were all pro-wrestlers who made a successful transition to MMA with comparitively little training. Pro-wrestlers must be in constant ligament pain after a long career.

karate

Hard training is very difficult , I had to quit in my mid 40"s

Went as long as I could , woke up hurting many nights , that was the end .

Geneticmessiah

I'm surprised Diego Sanchez isn't on the list. He's been pretty open about past addictions (alcohol/cocaine/MDMA). Hes been sober since changing his nickname over to the dream. One of my favorite fighters too although I wished he kept his old nickname.