Report: Conor McGregor kept using banned drugs after leg healed
A New York Times investigation says UFC star Conor McGregor continued using banned anabolic steroids and human growth hormone after his 2021 conor mcgregor leg injury had healed. Two sources told the paper he remained on the substances because he liked the energy they gave him, raising fresh integrity questions before his UFC 329 fight against Max Holloway.
The follow-up report from reporter Michael S. Schmidt, published Wednesday, builds on an earlier Times investigation into how McGregor managed his recovery from the devastating leg break he suffered against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. According to the New York Times, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said McGregor took two of the most powerful performance-enhancing drugs even after rehabilitation was complete.
Key Takeaways
- McGregor allegedly used anabolic steroids and HGH after his 2021 leg fracture had healed, not only during rehab.
- Sources say he told UFC officials he stayed on banned drugs because he liked how they made him feel.
- His therapeutic use exemption request was denied, and he left the USADA testing pool for roughly two years.
- The UFC says McGregor has passed 32 separate drug tests since returning to the testing program in October 2023.
- McGregor faces Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11, 2026, his first fight in five years.
What Did The New York Times Report?
Schmidt's July follow-up cites two anonymous sources familiar with UFC anti-doping discussions. They said officials learned McGregor had continued steroid and human growth hormone use beyond medical necessity for his tibia and fibula fractures.
The initial Times report in June alleged McGregor used banned substances during recovery with support from sports surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed his 2021 surgery. ElAttrache told the Times he did not prescribe hormones or steroids but backed a therapeutic use exemption application that USADA denied.
Why Did McGregor Stay on Banned Drugs After His Leg Healed?
One source told the Times that UFC officials learned from McGregor himself that he remained on the drugs because he liked how they made him feel and the energy they provided. POST Wrestling and Newser both summarized that detail from Schmidt's reporting.
Newser noted that federal law sharply limits when doctors can prescribe human growth hormone, and healing a broken leg is not among approved uses. The outlet reported that a specialist wrote HGH and steroid prescriptions after ElAttrache referred McGregor to bone-healing experts.
How Has the UFC Responded?
The UFC told the Times that McGregor sustained a potentially career-ending injury and sought medical guidance for appropriate recovery. The promotion added that he did not compete for five years and has been tested 22 times over the last two years, with 15 tests in 2026 alone.
All 32 samples McGregor provided since re-entering the pool were reported as negative, the UFC said. His manager, Audie Attar, did not confirm whether McGregor used performance-enhancing drugs but emphasized the severity of the original injury.
What Does This Mean for McGregor's Comeback?
McGregor is scheduled to return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. The allegations land as debate intensifies over whether athletes who used banned substances during extended layoffs gain lasting competitive advantages.
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