Conor McGregor has acknowledged using banned drugs as part of his recovery regimen following a catastrophic leg injury, confirming details that emerged in recent reporting about his treatment decisions during rehabilitation.
The UFC star shattered his leg in a high-profile fight and said his singular focus during recovery was regaining the ability to walk. McGregor confirmed that he relied on substances prohibited under athletic regulations as he pursued an aggressive path back to mobility, according to reporting from the New York Times.
The fighter's public acknowledgment represents a rare moment of transparency about methods athletes sometimes employ when facing severe physical setbacks. McGregor positioned his choices as driven by a singular mission: restoring basic function rather than pursuing competitive advantage.
The revelation adds another layer to questions about performance-enhancing substance use in combat sports, where athletes facing long recoveries sometimes make choices that fall outside established rules. McGregor's candid framing of his priorities during the rehabilitation phase shifts the conversation from typical doping narratives toward discussions about pain management and the desperation that follows career-threatening injuries.
The fighter has not elaborated on which specific substances he used or the full scope of his treatment protocol. His confirmation of the Times' reporting marks one of his more direct acknowledgments regarding banned drug use in his recovery journey.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "McGregor's willingness to own this move shows how differently athletes view rule-breaking when they're fighting for their careers instead of another belt."
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