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Mitrione: Fighters on steroids should be charged with attempted murder

Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY

Bellator heavyweight Matt Mitrione has some strong thoughts when it comes to MMA fighters who use steroids.

The former UFC fighter appeared on "The MMA Hour" on Monday to discuss his upcoming tournament to determine the Bellator heavyweight champion. Mitrione discussed the possibility of former UFC heavyweight Shane Carwin joining the tournament; Carwin was named in 2010 by a U.S. prosecutor as one of 22 athletes who obtained steroids from a pharmacist in Mobile, Ala.

Mitrione said he'd have no problem facing Carwin given he a passed drug test as the 39-year-old Bellator star is far from OK with PED use in MMA.

"I believe anybody who fights an MMA fight with steroids or anabolics in their system, they should be charged with attempted murder," Mitrione told Ariel Helwani on "The MMA Hour" on Monday. "If the fight actually goes on, they should be charged with attempted murder."

Mitrione does not believe that he's faced a prevailing amount of steroid users in his 17-fight career, nor does he think it's a big problem in the heavyweight division. However, he says that the advantage steroids give a fighter can unquestionably provide lethal force.

"Steroids affect everything - not just muscles," said Mitrione. "They affect cardio. They affect squeezing strength, punching strength.

"If you know how to utilize it, then it's really dangerous."

Correction: This article originally incorrectly stated Shane Carwin was convicted of steroid use in 2010. theScore regrets the error.

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