Conor McGregor, the controversial MMA star, has responded to Michael Phelps’ recent comments calling for lifetime bans for athletes who test positive for PEDs. McGregor shared ESPN’s report on Phelps’ stance, dubbing the Olympic swimming legend a “LIVING ATHLETIC LEGEND! #INSPIRATION” on social media.
The timing of McGregor’s praise for Phelps is noteworthy, given the Irish star’s own complicated history with testing. McGregor has been out of the USADA testing pool for over two years following a severe leg injury from July 2021. This absence from testing has fueled speculation about potential PED use during his recovery period.
Phelps’ comments came in response to a recent Chinese PED scandal. The decorated Olympian advocated for a “one and done” policy, stating that athletes who test positive for banned PEDs should face permanent exclusion from competition.
McGregor’s apparent endorsement of Phelps’ strict stance presents an interesting contrast to his own situation. The UFC star attempted to get a special exemption by the UFC. Now since UFC is locked into litigation with Mark Hunt over a previous exemption granted to Brock Lesnar, they were reluctant to grant.
Ultimately this led to the relationship between UFC and USADA falling apart and UFC instituting their own ‘testing’, overseen by an exec poached from USADA.
USADA’s Tygart emphasized that no athlete is above the rules, regardless of financial implications. Ironically, USADA announced McGregor’s reentry into the testing pool as of October 8, amid news of their partnership ending with the UFC. Campbell denied any connection between the UFC’s decision to leave USADA and McGregor, accusing USADA of using McGregor’s name for media attention. Despite the turmoil, McGregor’s return to the octagon seems likely, with UFC delaying McGregors return once again earlier this year.
