Conor Mcgregor Accused of Using Banned Substances in UFC Comeback
WHO:
Sportskeeda - Conor McGregor is the individual accused of using banned substances.
Daily Mail Sports - Leonardo DiCaprio's surgeon is mentioned as having provided support to McGregor.
WHAT:
Daily Mail Sports - Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed McGregor’s 2021 surgery, stated he did not “prescribe hormone or steroid treatment” but supported an application for a special exemption for McGregor to use performance-enhancing drugs during recovery.
MMA Fighting - UFC CFO Hunter Campbell stated that McGregor “maintained proper communication with our team” and was “in full compliance with the rules of our comprehensive drug program.”
MMA Fighting - McGregor was required to disclose any use of banned substances while out of the USADA testing pool prior to returning to the pool in October 2023, where officials allegedly discovered he had taken banned substances.
MMA Fighting - Conor McGregor is set to fight Max Holloway at UFC 329 in July, marking his first fight in five years.
MMA Fighting - McGregor was announced to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2025 but later withdrew due to a toe injury.
MMA Fighting - McGregor received an 18-month suspension from Combat Sports Anti-Doping for failing to provide testing samples on multiple occasions, retroactive to September 2024.
Sportskeeda - An investigation by The New York Times has raised questions about McGregor's recovery.
Daily Mail Sports - McGregor allegedly took powerful, banned drugs and attempted to evade anti-doping officials.
WHERE:
Sportskeeda - The investigation is associated with New York, where The New York Times is based.
WHEN:
Daily Mail Sports - McGregor sustained a complicated break to his tibia and fibula during a previous fight.
WHY:
MMA Fighting - Anti-doping expert Dr. David Gerrard expressed that he could not recall any case where a performance-enhancing drug was agreed upon to help heal a broken bone.
Daily Mail Sports - The allegations suggest that McGregor's use of banned substances was related to his recovery from a severe leg injury.
HOW:
MMA Fighting - Disagreements between UFC and USADA escalated in late 2023, leading to UFC ending its partnership with USADA after a dispute over the handling of McGregor's situation.
MMA Fighting - McGregor's medical team oversaw a combination of surgery, physical therapy, and prescribed medicines during his recovery.
Daily Mail Sports - McGregor allegedly tried to evade anti-doping officials during the investigation into his substance use.
(UPDATED June 11, 2026 21:42 UTC)
Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed McGregor's surgery in 2021, stated he did not prescribe hormone or steroid treatment but supported an application for a special exemption for McGregor to use performance-enhancing drugs during recovery. UFC CFO Hunter Campbell confirmed that McGregor maintained proper communication with the UFC team and was in full compliance with their drug program, although he was required to disclose any use of banned substances before returning to the USADA testing pool in October 2023, where officials allegedly found he had taken banned substances. Disagreements between UFC and USADA escalated in late 2023, ultimately leading to the UFC ending its partnership with USADA over the handling of McGregor's situation.
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(UPDATED June 11, 2026 19:51 UTC)
Conor McGregor is set to fight Max Holloway at UFC 329 in July, marking his first fight in five years. Previously, McGregor was scheduled to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2025 but had to withdraw due to a toe injury. He also received an 18-month suspension from Combat Sports Anti-Doping for failing to provide testing samples on multiple occasions, which is retroactive to September 2024, while his medical team has been managing his recovery with surgery, physical therapy, and prescribed medications.
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(UPDATED June 11, 2026 16:28 UTC)
Conor McGregor is facing serious allegations of using banned substances as part of an investigation by The New York Times, which has raised concerns about his recovery from a severe leg injury. Reports indicate that McGregor allegedly took powerful, banned drugs and attempted to evade anti-doping officials during this inquiry, which is linked to New York. Additionally, it has been noted that Leonardo DiCaprio's surgeon provided support to McGregor during this challenging time.