Conor McGregor’s longtime management responded to The New York Times’ allegations that he used banned substances before UFC 329.
Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the Octagon is days away as he prepares to fight Max Holloway in the UFC 329 main event this Saturday. McGregor hasn’t fought since suffering a leg injury against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
Just hours after the UFC announced McGregor vs. Holloway 2, The New York Times published an investigation that accused McGregor of using anabolic steroids and Human Growth Hormone (HGH) during his recovery from injury.
The report alleged that McGregor used ‘powerful, banned drugs’ after undergoing surgery on tibia and fibula fractures. While there isn’t any direct evidence of wrongdoing, McGregor has been accused by Justin Gaethje, Matt Brown, and others of doping during his five-year hiatus.
Conor McGregor’s team labels NYT articles ‘hit jobs’ after steroid use allegations
In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, McGregor’s manager Audie Attar responded to The New York Times‘ allegations just days before UFC 329.
“I think it’s a guy trying to make something out of nothing. We followed all the testing procedures, and Conor’s been tested about 15 times this year. We’ve done everything right – and clearly, it’s a hit job,” Attar said of The New York Times’ piece on McGregor.
“Either a hit job on us, or on the UFC. We have our suspicions on the parties, if you will…but look at the timing when it all happens. They’re talking about stuff from five years ago, right before the White House event, and right before the McGregor return. We live in that age.
“Sometimes you just have to set the record straight, and I appreciate Hunter Campbell and the UFC doing the same.”
As of this writing, there isn’t any direct evidence of McGregor using steroids or other banned substances leading up to UFC 329. McGregor leads the way as the most tested fighter on the current UFC roster in 2026.
Attar’s response comes just hours after The New York Times published a follow-up report accusing McGregor of using banned drugs well after his UFC 264 injuries healed.
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