In 2024, the UFC announced significant changes, including the termination of its longstanding collaboration with USADA, the anti-doping agency. This regulatory shift became a central topic on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. During the discussion, Joe Rogan and Derek from More Plates More Dates explored its potential impact on UFC fighter Conor McGregor and his upcoming return to the octagon.
Conor McGregor, celebrated for his brash demeanor and dual UFC titles, earned the moniker ‘Champ-Champ’ by adding the lightweight belt to his featherweight title after defeating Eddie Alvarez.
Despite his legendary status, McGregor faced a significant setback with a broken tibia in his 2021 bout against Dustin Poirier. Since then, he has been absent as a competitor but took on the role of coach for The Ultimate Fighter 31.
During his hiatus, speculation emerged about McGregor using PEDs for recovery, capturing the attention of Derek at More Plates More Dates, a notable fitness personality on YouTube. Renowned for his expertise in performance-enhancing drugs and exercise mechanics, Derek has become a influential voice in the fitness community.
View this post on Instagram
Derek frequently shares insights on ‘Natty or Not’ debates on his YouTube channel, where he scrutinizes athletes such as Jon Jones, bodybuilders, Israel Adesanya, and Andrew Tate. In his latest collaboration, he partnered with Joe Rogan to closely examine McGregor and explore the UFC’s decision to part ways with USADA.
MPMD’s Derek and Joe Rogan Discuss UFC’s Breakup with USADA and Conor McGregor’s Steroid Use
Following the UFC’s split from USADA, Derek from MPMD and Joe Rogan explore potential changes in the organization’s drug testing policies.
“I don’t know exactly what the new protocol is going to be but I have heard they are not going to let them take BPC 157, I’m like what the fuck are you doing?” said Joe Rogan.
“So they’re adhering to the WADA banned substance list presumably,” said Derek of MPMD.
Derek from MPMD shared that updated drug enforcement rules kick in on January 1. Regarding McGregor’s serious tibia injury, Rogan openly approved, expressing no concerns about the superstar using steroids for recovery.
“I don’t know how they’re going to do it. Only time will tell. I think this current administration’s contract with USADA is still applicable for the next few months,” stated Rogan.
“Until January 1,” said MDMD.
“I would imagine it’s going to be a little more lax and I would support that. I certainly support guys taking things to recover from injuries, like Conor did with his leg injury, 100% no question about it. I’m 100% all in on that. That’s the only way. No one comes back from that.”
The UFC commentator pointed out that Anderson Silva was the only fighter to return after a brutal leg break and perform at the same level.
“No one has ever come back from that catastrophic leg break. The shin break, not a single athlete has come back from it and performed at the same level.
Anderson Silva is the only guy who came back and fought multiple times and he was not the same guy,” explains Rogan.
“I don’t know, Conor has definitely got to win when he fucking comes back,” says Derek. “It’s kind of like his legacy. He’s got a lot to live up to not just — yeah.”
“He’s a warrior. He feels like he can just get, but one of the things he said about the Dustin Poirier fight the first one, the second fight, but the first one, the first of the most recent ones where he got knocked out. I was inactive, he goes, ‘It caught up to me. I could feel it while I was in there.’ You need to be active to be at the highest level of world-class mixed martial arts competition,” said Rogan.
View this post on Instagram
In a recent talk, Joe Rogan and Derek from MPMD discussed McGregor’s potential steroid use. They suggest that if McGregor used steroids before and now competes without them, challenges may arise in his comeback.
“I just don’t see how you can take two years off, multiple surgeries, get on juice, get off juice, and then jump in there against the best in the world. Maybe he can do it. But if I was his coach and the option was available, I’d say let’s get someone who is not even in the top 15. He’s competing pretty soon after being like what appeared to be pretty fucking full board. The guy was essentially unrecognizable compared to traditional Conor,” said Derek.
“To me, his face looked like the first time a guy takes gear. Oh wow, you’ve gained like 15 pounds of water. Yeah, So it didn’t even look like it was an attempt to do it in a ‘I’m trying to microdose way.’ It’s like a real cycle seemingly. Why not? If you’re not being tested and you can,” said Derek of MPMD.
Derek from MPMD mentioned McGregor might have an advantage in performance or lean muscle mass despite clean drug test results. This is due to alleged past use of performance-enhancing drugs.
“That would be so speculative [how much strength McGregor keeps from past PED use]. Let’s say a guy takes one cycle of testosterone at like a traditional amount that guys use. 500 milligrams is a pretty common bodybuilder starting level cycle. Yeah, 500 milligrams per week.”
“That would gain you a significant amount of lean mass and strength and you would probably sustain that for again, as the hormones work their way out the system, even as they residually are leaving, you still have that bleed of hormone that’s sustaining even during your training.”
In addition to discussions about steroids involving Conor McGregor, Joe Rogan has turned his attention to other prominent figures. He’s raised steroid speculations about Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and prompted Australian actor Chris Hemsworth to address potential gear use.
Ongoing ‘Natty or Not’ debates in fitness and bodybuilding keep the topic in the public eye. Regarding Conor McGregor’s UFC return, Derek and Joe Rogan acknowledge his past steroid use. They still recognize him as one of the greatest combat sports athletes despite this acknowledgment.
For the complete podcast, follow the link below:
Overview
In 2024, the UFC terminated its collaboration with USADA, sparking discussions on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. Transitioning into this discourse, Joe Rogan and Derek explored the impact on Conor McGregor’s return, acknowledging his past. Furthermore, the discussion delved into broader issues of steroids in the UFC. It extended to upcoming changes in drug testing policies and ongoing ‘Natty or Not’ debates. Despite uncertainties, McGregor remains a legendary figure in combat sports.
Featured Image @thenotoriousmma (Instagram), @PowerfulJRE (Youtube)
