Strickland raises steroid theory after McGregor's knee gives way at UFC 329

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has publicly questioned whether steroid use contributed to Conor McGregor’s knee injury, after McGregor’s long-awaited return ended inside 90 seconds against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on Saturday.

McGregor, fighting for the first time in five years, blew his right knee on the very first kick he attempted, leading to a stoppage loss early in round one. The defeat renewed scrutiny over the Irishman’s physical condition, with broadcast footage appearing to show him wince and stumble while removing his shoes before entering the Octagon.

Strickland, posting on X, stopped short of making a direct accusation but drew on personal observation to float his theory. “Im not saying this is it..... but every homie I have that has done steroids for too long their bodies become so fragile,” he wrote. “Im not saying thats why but.... it does weaken everything…”

The champion also pushed back on the idea that McGregor was already carrying the injury into the fight, arguing the nature of the kick ruled that out. “If you’re injured you’re protecting your injury to make it through the fight,” Strickland wrote in a follow-up post. “No. He wouldn’t of sent a kick like that if he was hurt. I know from experience.”

The comments arrive against a complicated backdrop regarding McGregor’s drug testing history. The 22-7 former two-division champion is reportedly the UFC’s most tested athlete of 2026, but he was outside the organisation’s testing pool during his recovery from a leg injury sustained in his 2021 trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier. Questions over his testing protocol also surfaced when he was expected to return in 2023 and 2024, and his situation was cited as a factor in the UFC’s split from anti-doping partner USADA in 2024.

Strickland has not presented any evidence to support his theory, and McGregor has not yet publicly responded to the middleweight champion’s remarks.