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For good or ill, Conor McGregor is the most talked about mixed martial artist in the world. At one point in time, the former UFC two-division champion was the subject of headlines for positive reasons. Unfortunately, 'The Notorious' has not been the recipient of positive news coverage in recent years.
The Irishman has been embroiled in a series of legal issues, in addition to other scandals. Last year, he suffered a horrific leg injury in a second loss to Dustin Poirier. During his absence from the sport, 'The Notorious' accrued 20 lbs of lean muscle mass in a very short amount of time.
Further scrutiny arose after it was revealed that McGregor had withdrawn from the USADA testing pool and has not been tested at all this year, according to Dana White. Additionally, 'The Notorious' expressed his desire to use a loophole in USADA's rules to return in early 2023.
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Upon exiting the testing pool, all fighters must take part in a six-month testing period after re-entering the pool. McGregor's desire to evade this has led to enormous criticism, especially due to his significant muscle gain. By exiting the testing pool, he set a poor example and this list details five reasons why.
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#5. Conor McGregor will hurt the integrity of the sport
No mixed martial artist, kickboxer or boxer is more well-known than Conor McGregor. The Irishman is the preeminent PPV attraction in combat sports. By simply fighting him, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Nate Diaz became MMA superstars. Prior to facing him, they had a cult following at best.
Due to his position as the world's most famous fighter, 'The Notorious' is in a position where all of his actions will be used as a reflection of MMA. News outlets, journalists and others who don't cover the sport will use his actions to justify certain prejudices against the sport.
While PED usage is certainly nothing new in any sport, combat sports have a greater reputation for it. MMA already has a polarizing reputation, even in 2022. Most people don't know of any fighters other than Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Thus, the Irishman's recent scandal and Stockton's finest past assertion that all fighters take PEDs can damage the integrity of MMA as a sport. The belief that MMA fighters aren't real athletes is already prevalent. That they take PEDs en masse will do the sport no favors.
#4. Other fighters might start copying him
Conor McGregor has been copied by countless fighters throughout the years. The Irishman's successful use of trash talk en route to becoming a PPV sensation led many fighters to adopt this approach to varying degrees of success. It was 'The Notorious' who convinced Dana White to allow him to box Floyd Mayweather Jr.
In the aftermath of the Irishman's bout with 'Money', an avalanche of UFC fighters tried to book matchups with boxers as well. Anything he does successfully will be copied by others, such as his status as a two-division champion.
If he manages to return without observing the six-month waiting period after exiting the USADA testing pool, other fighters will follow suit due to the unfair nature of it. There are already fears that T.J. Dillashaw might be retiring on false pretenses to do the same and return later.
#3. It shines a brighter light on the UFC's special treatment of him
Conor McGregor recently engaged in a war of words with Anthony Smith over the 205'er's comments regarding the Irishman's decision to step out of the testing pool. 'The Notorious' was subtly accused of PED usage by 'Lionheart', which he did not take too kindly.
In a profanity-laden tirade, McGregor responded to Smith's claims by asserting that his exit from the testing pool was to heal and return to normal functionality. Smith soon caught wind of the Irishman's explanation and didn't deny the validity of his reasoning.
Instead, 'Lionheart' called into question why Anderson Silva, Chris Weidman and himself weren't allowed such exemptions. The one-time light heavyweight title challenger asserted that no other fighter can exit the testing pool, heal from injury and return with no reprecussions.
The risk of allowing Conor McGregor to do so will fan the flames of discontent among a roster of fighters who already feel that he receives preferential treatment.
#2. Conor McGregor might return with the benefits of PED usage
Whatever 'The Notorious' may or may not have taken could have a noticeable impact on his athletic performance upon his return. While the Irishman's PED usage is largely speculation, the risks are great if he does return if he has indeed taken any substances that might improve his athletic performance.
Athletes don't have to be actively taking PEDs to benefit from their positive effects. The boost in performance they offer can last long after the athlete in question has stopped actively consuming them. Thus, if Conor McGregor is taking PEDs, he could still benefit from them upon his return.
It would be unfair to whoever his opponent is upon his return bout. They'll be facing a highly skilled fighter whose performance might be augmented by hormonal enhancements. Not only does this diminish his foe's chances of having fair competition, but it will also call into question the true merit of a potential win.
#1. It reveals his hypocrisy
Once upon a time, Conor McGregor reacted to Chad Mendes' positive PED test for GHRP-6. The former UFC two-division champion openly pondered what his past foe might have been consuming during their bout. Afterward, 'The Notorious' concluded that regardless, there are no steroids to enhance one's chin.
Alexander Volkanovski has already used one of the Irishman's past quotes against him. His reaction to the UFC's decision to book 'The Great' in a matchup with Islam Makhachev earned thinly veiled mockery from 'The Notorious'.
The featherweight kingpin's reply was simply to remind him of his past statement that winners focus on winning, while losers focus on winning. Not only can rivals and fans point back to his Mendes comments, but also his comments about José Aldo as well.
The Irishman once referred to the Brazilian great as a juicehead to Chad Mendes seconds after TKO'ing the American. Additionally, he brought up Gilbert Melendez's past PED issues in response to Nate Diaz's accusation that he was on PEDs.
Not only would this render Conor McGregor a hypocrite, but all of his wins upon his return will be heavily scrutinized. Fans will wonder if he won due to his skills or PED usage, leading to an asterisk in his legacy.
