Report: Conor McGregor allegedly used ‘banned drugs’ to heal 2021 leg injury

Conor McGregor's return to UFC competition has been overshadowed by allegations that he used banned performance-enhancing drugs during his recovery from a catastrophic leg injury, according to a New York Times investigation published Thursday.

McGregor suffered the injury in July 2021 when he broke his fibula and tibia in the opening round of his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. The damage was severe enough to require emergency surgery and an extended rehabilitation period. While out of competition, McGregor withdrew from the USADA anti-doping testing pool, a standard step that typically requires six months of testing before an athlete can return.

During his recovery, McGregor's surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, wrote a letter supporting an application for a therapeutic use exemption that would have allowed McGregor to use banned substances to aid healing. Although ElAttrache stated he did not prescribe steroid or hormone treatment, he argued such drugs could optimize bone healing and reduce the risk of incomplete fracture repair. The exemption was ultimately denied. Anti-doping experts consulted by the Times questioned whether any banned substance could legitimately accelerate bone healing, suggesting McGregor's team may have been attempting to exploit a loophole in USADA's system.

McGregor's recovery physique—documented in social media posts and his 2022 Road House cameo—sparked public speculation among fighters and fans about steroid use. When McGregor rejoined the testing pool in October 2023, officials reportedly discovered he had used banned substances during his time away from competition. Under a new anti-doping regime, McGregor received an 18-month suspension in October 2024 for failing to provide required testing samples, with eligibility to return in 2026. He is currently scheduled to face Max Holloway at UFC 329 in July, marking his first fight in over five years.