Islam Makhachev responds to Steroid accusations

Islam Makhachev, the UFC Lightweight Champion, has retaliated after Bobby Green, a former rival, accused him of using steroids on a regular basis.

Before defeating Charles Oliveira in October to claim the 155-pound title, Makhachev defeated replacement opponent Green in a pinch with a similarly commanding performance.

In February 2021, the duo was the main event of UFC Vegas 49, with "King" standing in for the injured Beneil Dariush. With the Californian unable to generate any offensive, Makhachev took him to the ground and used ground-and-pound to win by TKO in the first round.

Although the two seemed amicable at the time, Green's recent statements raise doubts about their current relationship.

Green claimed that Makhachev and other Dagestani MMA fighters have been "groomed" for success through the usage of performance-enhancing drugs since the age of 10.

“I was f*cking round on my YouTube, right, and I found this little video and it said Islam had a little trouble with drugs,” Green said. So, he was saying when he first came over that his school that he trained at in Russia, they just gave him vitamins. They been doing it since who knows when, when you start training.”

“Imagine if you gave someone steroids form the age of 10, 12, 13, 14, 15; how strong you would be… He was really strong, it makes sense now… I move with thousands of guys, that was interesting,” Green added."

Makhachev responded by stating that dedication alone is what accounts for the power disparity Green experienced in Las Vegas at the beginning of the year, not the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

“I don’t know. I am not like Bobby Green. I am not drunk, do some bad stuff,” Makhachev said. “I am training hard, that’s why. That’s why he feel the power. I told you, all the fighters say, ‘I am going to defend his wrestling.’ … But, when fight is happening, when I take down my opponent, they all feel my power”

The subject came up again at a time when Makhachev's stature and might were the main topic of conversation. Many have predicted that Volkanovski, the 145-pound champion, will lose to Makhachev's toughness as he prepares to take on a challenge from below this Saturday.