On a recent appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, Gina Carano reflected on the use of PEDs in MMA. She shared her perspective on peptides, recovery science, and how the conversation around these topics has evolved since her combat days.
The topic surfaced as Carano looked back on her 2009 bout against Cris Cyborg, a match that ultimately preceded her departure from the sport. When the host directly suggested she was referring to PEDs, Carano gave a measured response: “Maybe.”
She went on to describe the environment in MMA at the time, emphasizing how widespread the use of PEDs were.
She stated: “I don’t know if it is still, but st**oids were prevalent. Very, very normal, very prevalent, very around. And she came from Brazil. So she was just like a different level, different time. It was a different time.”
Despite the implication, Carano was careful not to single Cyborg out. She noted: “Cyborg is a wonderful person and I think that science has come along far enough to where we can have that discussion so much better now.”
The conversation briefly widened when the co-host referenced Brazilian stars like Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva, joking that “anytime they got tested, the lab expl oded.”
Carano simply replied: “Yeah. So it’s a different time, right?”
Importantly, Carano drew a clear line between the old perception of PEDs and the modern understanding of peptides and hormone support.
She said, “By the way, I think that st**oids or testosterone, I think peptides and all that has such a wonderful place. We want to keep our bodies healthy and all that has a wonderful place. I just think back then it was a little bit behind the times.”
She tied this directly to her own comeback at 43, pointing out the tension between what science now makes possible and what athletic commissions permit.
“Competing in your 40s, you should be able to compete like with a 30 or 20-year-old, but testing doesn’t allow you to do that,” she noted. “So I just think that there are wonderful benefits to all of this stuff that was hated on a long time ago.”
Carano also touched on a lesser-known moment from her career when the UFC approached her before the Cyborg match with an offer to get her out of her Strikeforce contract. She described their reasoning as: “Based on possible st**oid use, maybe. They were willing to fund the lawsuit against Strikeforce and everything to get me to go over there.”
Throughout the discussion, Carano avoided making direct accusations, instead framing her comments as a reflection of a different era in MMA.
