Conor McGregor breaks silence on PED allegations ahead of UFC comeback
Conor McGregor has responded to New York Times allegations that he withdrew from drug testing to use prohibited substances during injury recovery, as the UFC issued a statement fully supporting him
Conor McGregor has revealed he did everything necessary to recover from his broken leg following allegations he used performance-enhancing substances.
The Dubliner sustained a devastating leg fracture during the opening round of his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier five years ago, requiring surgery. He hasn't fought since but is scheduled to face Max Holloway on 11 July - and also has a fight date set for 2027.
Recently, the New York Times claimed McGregor withdrew from the drug-testing program to allow him to use banned substances during his recovery. McGregor has now responded to the allegations, acknowledging he wasn't sure what substances he was taking. "[I had] the mot devastating injury you can see in combat sports," he said on the Ariel Helwani Show.
"The whole thing is strange to me; you have an injury like that.. you might not walk again. The objective should be to get that athlete, that fighter, who has given his life, his skills, his livelihood for he entertainment of the people and the profit of the company, it should be to get his man back on his feet.", reports the Irish Mirror.
"That was not the case, not with the UFC but with the former body [USADA]. "I find that strange and I find that wrong. All I cared about when I was airlifted out of the arena with my leg hanging off, was how am I going to walk again?
"I feel the game should [be] changed to accommodate something like that.
"If a doctor is prescribing certain things to come back or you're not going walk again... there was a 20% chance that the leg doesn't join again and you're left on a wobble forever. F*** this fighting game, are you crazy? I've got children to raise.
"I took myself out of the pool, listened to my doctor, didn't ask any questions, I don't even know [what I took]. All I wanted to know was what is going to get me back to my feet to play with my children? Then I re-entered the pool and went through the craic again. I've been tested something like 15 times this year and the next below me is like four."
Earlier on Tuesday, the UFC released a statement responding to the allegations, reports the Mirror. "In 2021, Conor McGregor sustained a potentially career-ending injury and sought medical guidance from leading orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who advised the appropriate recovery and rehabilitation protocol," it read.
"As a result, McGregor did not compete for five years and maintained proper communication with our team throughout, remaining in full compliance with the rules of our comprehensive drug program. McGregor has been tested 19 times over the past two years, including 12 times in 2026, making him the most tested athlete during this time.
"Any suggestion that UFC's decision to end its partnership with USADA was related to Conor McGregor is categorically false. Internal communications and documentation clearly show that discussions regarding a transition away from USADA began months before any conversations involving McGregor.
"This narrative is a continued attempt by USADA leadership to misrepresent the facts surrounding UFC's unilateral decision to terminate our agreement with them and instead choose to partner with a far more competent, organized, and sophisticated testing group comprised of Drug Free Sport, Combat Sports Anti-Doping, and SMRTL labratories.
"The health and safety of our athletes remain our highest priority. We fully support Conor McGregor and look forward to his return to the Octagon this summer."
