Israel Adesanya and Conor McGregor share a fight camp, a division, and a looming question: are their careers built on performance-enhancing drugs?
The UFC’s two biggest draws are both sidelined. Adesanya, 35, has not fought since losing his middleweight title to Sean Strickland in September 2023. McGregor, 36, hasn’t won a fight since January 2020. Both face accusations of steroid use, surgery masking PED cycles, and a legacy in tatters.
Conor McGregor’s Surgery: What It Means for His Return
ESPN reported McGregor will undergo surgery for a lower limb injury. He plans to fight again. The Irishman told Yahoo Sports there will be “news on injury soon.” He also argued his 2017 loss to Max Holloway should be overturned to a no contest, citing the injury.
The surgery follows a pattern. McGregor’s recovery timeline—typically 6-12 months—coincides with speculation about “special treatments” and substance use to accelerate healing. He denied using “mind altering substances” before his UFC 329 loss in a now-deleted post, per Bleacher Report.
The Steroid Shadow: Adesanya’s USADA History and McGregor’s Denials
Adesanya’s USADA record is clean in terms of sanctions. But a flagged out-of-competition test in 2022, later cleared, fueled whispers. Fans and journalists link his rapid rise, freakish durability, and sudden decline to PED use.
McGregor’s deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) stated: “I have never taken mind altering substances before a fight.” The denial itself became a headline. Both fighters are haunted by the same question: are they clean?
The ‘No Contest’ Campaign: McGregor vs. Holloway and the Legacy of Loss
McGregor’s push to erase the Holloway loss mirrors Adesanya’s claim he was “off” against Strickland. Both fighters attempt to rewrite history through injury or substance excuses. Fans and media largely reject these narratives as revisionism.
| Fighter | Claimed Excuse | Opponent | Result | Fan Reaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conor McGregor | Injury (lower limb) | Max Holloway | Loss (should be NC) | Skepticism, calls for proof |
| Israel Adesanya | “Off” mentally/physically | Sean Strickland | Split decision loss | Mixed, some believe fatigue |
Surgery or Steroid Cover-Up? The Hidden War in the UFC
MMA history is littered with fighters using surgery time to cycle off banned substances. The theory: a torn ligament provides a legitimate medical reason for a layoff, masking a PED cycle’s aftereffects. Adesanya and McGregor have both faced this speculation.
The UFC is caught in a hidden war. It needs stars to sell pay-per-views. But it also needs to appear clean to regulators and sponsors. Protecting Adesanya and McGregor protects the brand. Exposing them risks everything.
Scrapped Legacy: What Both Fighters Stand to Lose
Adesanya was a once-dominant champion. Now he’s on a two-fight losing streak. Whisper networks claim his prime was drug-assisted. McGregor is a pioneer who hasn’t won in five years. Retirement or scandal looms.
The real fight is not between them. It is against time, evidence, and public trust.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is the controversy surrounding Israel Adesanya and Conor McGregor regarding steroids?
- A: Both fighters face accusations of performance-enhancing drug use. Adesanya had a flagged out-of-competition test in 2022 that was later cleared, while McGregor has publicly denied using mind-altering substances before fights, though his denial itself sparked controversy.
- Q: Why is Conor McGregor undergoing surgery, and how does it affect his return?
- A: McGregor is undergoing surgery for a lower limb injury, with a recovery timeline of 6-12 months. This has fueled speculation about potential use of special treatments or substances to accelerate healing, adding to the PED controversy.
- Q: What is the current status of Israel Adesanya’s fighting career?
- A: Adesanya, now 35, has not fought since losing his middleweight title to Sean Strickland in September 2023. His rapid rise, durability, and subsequent decline have led to ongoing rumors about PED use.