Overview
- A New York Times investigation published Thursday reported that Conor McGregor took "powerful, banned drugs" while recovering from the tibia and fibula fractures he suffered in July 2021.
- Dr. Neal ElAttrache confirmed he wrote a letter supporting a Therapeutic Use Exemption for McGregor but said he did not prescribe hormones or steroids and that the exemption was denied.
- McGregor left the USADA testing pool during his recovery, rejoined in October 2023 as he prepared to return, and later received an 18-month retroactive suspension for missed whereabouts checks that expired before his planned July 11, 2026 fight.
- There is no public report of a positive in-competition test tied to these claims, and anti-doping experts told the Times they know of no precedent for granting a TUE to speed bone healing.
- The revelations sharpen scrutiny of how exemptions are handled, underline the role McGregor's case played in the UFC’s split with USADA, and set up renewed regulatory and public attention on testing and oversight as he readies for UFC 329.