The UFC lightweight champion had a scathing response to Bobby Green’s steroid accusations. This only adds insult to injury for Bobby who was knocked out at UFC Vegas 66 by Drew Dober. During the UFC 284 media scrum, Islam Makhachev was asked about his thoughts on the accusations made by his former rival. He responded in his usual humble and direct manner.
Makhachev said, “I don’t know. I am not like Bobby Green. I am not drunk,[or] do some bad stuff, I am training hard. That’s why he feel(s) the power. 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…”
“This is not because I am good. It’s because I am training all my life. That’s why.” And if one sees the Dagestani training regimen famously implemented by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, this explanation makes complete sense.
After returning from a 6-month suspension for a USADA violation, UFC lightweight Bobby Green first accused former rival Islam Makhachev of being on steroids. USADA earlier suspended Green after he tested positive for the banned substance, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). When he returned for a media appearance for UFC Vegas 66, he addressed the suspension, claiming he had been “villainized.”
This media appearance was when he made the aforementioned comments about Makhachev. Green said about his former rival, “I found this little video that said Islam had a little trouble with drugs. But I don’t see people talking about him. Imagine if you gave someone steroids from the age of 10, 12, 13, 14, 15. Imagine how strong you would be.” But now, the UFC lightweight champion has put these insane allegations to bed.
Has Islam Makhachev ever tested positive for steroids?
Islam Makhachev dismissed the allegations made by Bobby Green. But how accurate were Green’s words? Well, his record with banned substances isn’t wholly spotless. Back in April 2016, Islam Makhachev tested positive for a banned substance that cost him a fight against Drew Dober.
Makhachev tested positive for the banned substance, meldonium which led to his UFC on FOX 19 fight being canceled. Four months earlier, in January 2016, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), banned meldonium.
Tennis player, Maria Sharapova tested positive for it in March 2016 after which the drug rose to prominence in mainstream media. She continued to use the drug even after the ban which led to her being handed a 15-month suspension.
Makhachev was cleared of any wrongdoings because the drug was banned after Makhachev had already stopped using it. So far, apart from his loss to Adriano Martins, this positive test has been the biggest setback of Islam Makhachev’s dominant career. But will that statement still be true after he meets Alexander Volkanovski in the Octagon at UFC 284?