The UFC is making huge changes in 2024 after announcing they would no longer be working with USADA which has been its anti-doping agency for several years. During the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Joe Rogan and Derek from More Plates More Dates discussed the changes in regulations and how that would impact UFC fighter Conor McGregor amid his impending return to the octagon.
Conor McGregor is considered to be one of the greatest fighters of all time. Made famous for his brash attitude, thick Irish accent, and ripped physique, McGregor refers to himself as the ‘Champ-Champ” since becoming the first fighter to hold dual UFC titles in two weight classes simultaneously. Conor McGregor earned his second championship after defeating Eddie Alvarez, taking home the lightweight belt in addition to the featherweight belt he nabbed from legend Jose Aldo.
While he is a legendary fighter, Conor McGregor unfortunately suffered a broken tibia during his third fight against Dustin Poirier. Since that fight in 2021, McGregor has not stepped back into the octagon as a competitor but has participated as a coach for The Ultimate Fighter 31.
During his time away from the ring, there have been speculations that McGregor is using PEDs to help with his recovery. This talk has caught the attention of Derek from More Plates More Dates. Derek is a thriving fitness personality on YouTube. His knowledge of performance-enhancing drugs and exercise mechanics has turned him into a powerful voice within the community.
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Derek often takes to his YouTube channel to offer his insight into infamous ‘Natty or Not’ debates. In the past, he’s scrutinized athletes such as Jon Jones, famous bodybuilders, Israel Adesanya, and Andrew Tate. He has also talked about Mike O’Hearn, who claims to be a lifetime natural. In Derek’s latest venture, he joined Rogan to look closely at McGregor and the USADA situation.
Derek MPMD & Joe Rogan Talk UFC/USADA Breakup and Conor McGregor Using Steroids
“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 of MDMD said the new drug-enforcement rules will take effect on January 1. Given McGregor’s brutal tibia injury, Rogan said he had no issue with the superstar using steroids for the 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 also specified that the only fighter to come back after a vicious leg break and perform at the same level was Anderson Silva.
“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.
Rogan and Derek were adamant that coming back from an injury as severe as McGregor’s is no easy feat. Regardless of the difficulty, both men agreed that he still had the potential to win.
“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.
Then, Joe Rogan and Derek from MPMD share their insights on “The Notorious” Conor McGregor’s potential steroid use. They suggest that if McGregor had previously used steroids and is now aiming to compete without them, he might encounter challenges in his comeback journey.
“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 of MPMD specified that even if McGregor turns in clean drug tests, he still may enjoy an advantage in performance and/or lean muscle mass considering his 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.”
Aside from steroid conversations geared around Conor McGregor, other popular names have emerged on Joe Rogan’s radar. In addition to Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s steroid speculations, Rogan has also called on Australian actor Chris Hemsworth to open up about his potential use of gear.
With ‘Natty or Not’ debates raging in the fitness and bodybuilding industries, the topic continues to garner a lot of public interest. As for Conor McGregor and his UFC return, Derek and Joe Rogan agree that he has used steroids but still regard him as one of the best combat sports athletes of all time.
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Interesting perspective from Derek at MPMD on Joe Rogan’s show! The world of sports and roids is always a hot topic. While it’s crucial to approach such claims with a discerning eye, the conversation adds depth to the ongoing discussion about performance in MMA. McGregor’s case sparks curiosity, and it’s valuable to explore various viewpoints. Looking forward to more insights and discussions on the ever-evolving landscape of sports, health, and performance. Thanks for keeping us engaged, Joe Rogan! 💪🔍