Sean Strickland Debunks Conor McGregor’s PED Injury Theory-Doctor Responds
**Sean Strickland’s theory linking Conor McGregor’s UFC 329 knee injury to performance-enhancing drugs was dismissed by sports medicine doctor Brian Sutterer on July 13, 2026.** The UFC middleweight champion suffered a devastating ACL tear just 17 seconds into his comeback bout against Max Holloway on June 15, reigniting speculation about his 2021 leg injury and a *New York Times* report alleging PED use. Sutterer, however, called Strickland’s argument ‘unlikely’-and took aim at Dana White’s pre-fight injury denial as ‘nonsense.’",
"## **What did Sean Strickland claim about McGregor’s injury?**",
"Strickland, who fought McGregor at UFC 277 in November 2022, suggested that long-term use of performance-enhancing substances could have weakened McGregor’s body, making him more prone to the knee injury. He cited anecdotes from fighters he knows who experienced similar issues after suspected PED cycles. The theory gained traction after McGregor’s *New York Times* interview in June, where he denied the allegations but confirmed surgery for his knee.",
"## **Why did Dr. Sutterer reject Strickland’s theory?**",
"Sutterer, a sports medicine specialist, argued that while PEDs can cause long-term tissue damage, they don’t directly correlate with acute ligament injuries like McGregor’s ACL tear. ‘I’d have a hard time drawing a direct correlation between the two,’ he told *The Ariel Helwani Show*. He acknowledged that steroids can lead to tendon issues but stressed that McGregor’s injury pattern-ligament failure-doesn’t fit that profile. Instead, Sutterer leaned toward a pre-existing condition or poor preparation.",
"## **Did Sutterer back Dana White’s pre-fight injury denial?**",
"No. Sutterer directly challenged White’s claim that McGregor’s injury was ‘obvious’ to anyone watching the pre-fight press conference. ‘This rationale is nonsense,’ he said on X. White had argued that McGregor’s limp was visible to the crowd, but Sutterer countered that such denials often stem from PR concerns rather than medical reality. The doctor’s skepticism extends to the UFC’s handling of athlete health-especially after McGregor’s 2021 leg injury, which he later admitted was severe.",
"## **What’s next for McGregor-and how does this affect Strickland?**",
"McGregor’s surgery timeline remains unclear, though Sutterer estimated a 9-12 month recovery-far longer than the UFC’s initial ‘6-9 months’ projection. For Strickland, the debate underscores his growing role as a vocal critic of McGregor’s career trajectory. His UFC 329 comments, while speculative, positioned him as a key figure in the post-fight narrative. With McGregor sidelined, Strickland’s next steps-whether in training, interviews, or potential rematch speculation-will draw even more attention to his perspective on the sport’s biggest stars.",
"## **The bigger picture: PEDs in MMA and athlete accountability**",
"Strickland’s theory isn’t the first time McGregor’s injury history has fueled PED discussions. The *New York Times* report in June accused him of using ‘unapproved’ substances to recover from his 2021 leg injury, which required surgery and kept him out for 18 months. While Sutterer dismissed Strickland’s specific link, the broader conversation about PEDs in MMA persists-especially as fighters like McGregor, who’ve dominated with controversial methods, face scrutiny over long-term health risks. The UFC has yet to address the allegations directly, leaving room for theories like Strickland’s to circulate.