Conor McGregor is back in the headlines, and this time it has to do with drug allegations.
A new report has raised questions about the former two-division UFC champion’s recovery from the devastating leg injury he suffered against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. According to The New York Times, McGregor’s medical team explored the use of treatments involving hormones and steroids during his rehabilitation.
The allegations come just weeks before McGregor is expected to return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas.
McGregor’s Camp Allegedly Sought Special Permission
The report claims McGregor’s surgeon referred him to a specialist focused on accelerating bone healing after the Irish star suffered a gruesome broken tibia.
According to the report, the specialist allegedly prescribed hormone and steroid-based treatments designed to aid recovery and reduce the risk of complications during the healing process.
McGregor’s team reportedly attempted to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), which would have allowed him to legally use otherwise prohibited substances while recovering from the injury.
That request was allegedly denied by the UFC’s anti-doping program at the time. The specific substances were not identified in the report.
McGregor Left the Testing Pool
The report also sheds light on McGregor’s controversial decision to remove himself from the UFC’s drug-testing pool during his recovery.
Under anti-doping rules, athletes are prohibited from using banned substances unless they receive an approved exemption. Because the exemption was reportedly not granted, McGregor would have remained subject to testing restrictions had he stayed in the pool.
The report states that McGregor exited the testing program while recovering, which would have allowed him to undergo treatments that may otherwise have violated anti-doping regulations.
His absence from the testing pool became a major talking point during his lengthy layoff from competition.
McGregor’s Team Defends the Recovery Process
Neither McGregor nor the UFC directly confirmed or denied that banned substances were ultimately used.
However, McGregor’s longtime manager Audie Attar defended the rehabilitation process and emphasized the seriousness of the injury.
Attar pointed to the uncertainty surrounding McGregor’s future immediately after the surgery and credited the medical team for helping the former champion recover to the point where a return became possible.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the surgeon who operated on McGregor’s leg, also addressed the matter. While he stated that he did not personally prescribe the treatments discussed in the report, he supported the scientific rationale behind exploring options that could help prevent slow bone fusion and improve healing outcomes.
Questions Ahead of UFC 329
The timing of the report is significant. McGregor is currently preparing for his long-awaited return against Max Holloway at UFC 329. The fight will mark his first UFC appearance since breaking his leg against Poirier nearly five years ago.
At this stage, there is no indication that McGregor faces disciplinary action related to the allegations. The report also does not state definitively that he used banned substances while under UFC testing protocols.
Still, the revelations are likely to fuel debate among fans as McGregor prepares for one of the biggest comeback fights in UFC history.