Is Adesanya on Steroids? UFC Fighter Status Update

Does passing 50 drug tests clear a world champion of all doubts? Not always.

Israel Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion, faced doping rumors after his UFC 253 victory. His swollen nipple during the Paulo Costa fight fueled steroid speculation. Despite his knockout win, people still question his health and potential doping.

Adesanya talked about his swelling being due to marijuana. He's passed more than 50 drug tests since 2018, including 12 in UFC fights. He even offered $3 million for proof of steroid use. The strict testing by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the UFC's policy on marijuana, led by Dana White, back his claims.

Key Takeaways

• Adesanya completed 50 drug tests, the first to do so since the USADA program started.
• Israel Adesanya offers $3 million for proof of his steroid use.
• Swollen nipple at UFC 253 sparked rumors about Adesanya’s health.
• Adesanya defends his lifestyle habits and points to marijuana use as a factor.
• UFC matches undergo rigorous USADA and Commission testing.

The Origin of the Steroid Accusations

The debate over Israel Adesanya's supposed steroid use started after UFC 253. His right nipple looked swollen, which made people talk. Swelling like that is known as gynecomastia. It’s often linked to hormone issues that can come from taking steroids. Yet, there are many reasons why someone might have gynecomastia.

Adesanya’s Swollen Nipple at UFC 253

At UFC 253, Adesanya fought Paulo Costa with a swollen nipple. This caught everyone's eye. It sparked rumors about him using drugs to enhance his performance. People couldn't stop talking about whether this was a sign he was doping.

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Medical Explanations and Tests

Adesanya took quick action against these steroid claims. He went through medical tests, including an ultrasound, mammogram, and blood tests. These checked his hormone levels and how his pituitary gland was working. USADA has tested Adesanya more than 50 times since 2018 with no signs of illegal drugs. A doctor even said his swollen pec might be from marijuana use, not steroids.

Adesanya has been open about his health, which has settled some nerves. His recent fights show much less swelling. By being so open and passing all these tests, Adesanya aims to clear his name. He wants to prove he's a clean fighter in the UFC.

Is Adesanya on Steroids? UFC Fighter's Response

Israel Adesanya strongly denies using steroids amid rumors. He stresses his success comes from skill and hard work, not drugs. His record is clean, shown by 32 tests from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

Adesanya's defense mixes seriousness with humor. He criticizes rumor-spreaders and points to others as more likely to fail drug tests. He once teased Paulo Costa, suggesting people look at him instead.

After UFC 253, questions arose from Adesanya's swollen chest. He had blood work and two MRIs done. The swelling, he said, was gynecomastia, unrelated to steroid use. He even mentioned cancer to highlight the harm of such rumors.

Adesanya is so sure of his innocence, he'd bet $3 million on it. He proudly showed off a jacket for passing 50 USADA tests. His knowledge on doping mainly comes from the film “Icarus.” This shows how removed he is from such practices.

Adesanya speaks out against drug use accusations with confidence. This approach shows he's serious about clean sports. His defense proves he's a true, hardworking champion in the UFC world.

The UFC's Drug Testing Policies

The UFC works with USADA to keep sports fair and clean. They've teamed up for over eight years. Their rules make sure UFC fighters are checked often for drugs, anywhere in the world.

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This policy knows the difference between what's banned all the time and what's only banned during competitions. It now understands societal views on marijuana better. UFC fighters have new rules on marijuana use, seeing if it's on purpose or by accident.

The policy is always improving, as seen in famous cases like Jon Jones. Now, tests are done in a lab in Salt Lake City. They check for many things including EPO and growth hormones. Fighters also use a new digital system to say where they are for testing.

George Piro of CSAD makes sure the rules are followed. Fighters are told to choose supplements that are safe and approved. The UFC keeps updating its rules, using science to fight against doping.

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