Islam Makhachev addresses allegations of steroid use

Islam Makhachev: ‘I Want to Knock Him Out’ | UFC 284

Islam Makhachev, the current UFC Lightweight Champion, has addressed allegations of long-term steroid use by former opponent Bobby “King” Green.

Before defeating Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira in October to become the 155-pound champion, Makhachev delivered a remarkable performance against Green, who faced the Dagestani as a substitute opponent on short notice at UFC Vegas 49 in February 2022.

UFC

2022-02-27 02:19

10. In. A. Row 😤 [ @MakhachevMMA | #UFCVegas49 ] https://t.co/l6hlEkKTuL

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Green replaced Beneil “Benny” Dariush, who was suffering from injury. Makhachev took Green down and finished him with ground and pound in the first round, earning him a win via technical knockout.

For UFC 284 fight card in Perth, Australia, this weekend, Makhachev will take on featherweight champion Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski in the Octagon to defend his lightweight title for the first time.

Islam Makhachev responds to Bobby Green steroid remarks: ‘I am not like him, I don’t do bad stuff’

During the press conference for the card, Makhachev was asked about Green’s remarks. He answered that the power imbalance Green had experienced in Las Vegas early last year was not a result of steroid abuse but commitment.

The student of the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov stressed that hard work and abstaining from substance abuse are what allowed him to overpower Green.

“I am not like Bobby Green. I am not drunk, do some bad stuff,” the lightweight champion said. “I [am] training hard, that’s why. That’s why he feel the power.”

UFC

2023-02-08 18:00

P4P #1 vs #2, champ vs champ, BEST vs BEST 🔥 @MakhachevMMA and @AlexVolkanovski meet SATURDAY at #UFC284! https://t.co/mtXdNuopE4

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The discussion on whether Makhachev might have used steroids resurfaced after the Dagestani signed the contract to face Volkanovski.

Before Green’s defeat to Drew Dober last December, Green said that Makhachev and other Dagestani MMA fighters like Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov had been “groomed” using performance-enhancing drugs since the age of 10.

MMA Junkie

2022-12-15 14:17

Bobby Green sounds off on Islam Makhachev. 😳 “Imagine if you gave someone steroids from the age of 10?” #UFCVegas66 | Full video: https://t.co/x4dYPrIfxn https://t.co/1VtbGcJUay

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The Californian said he had been “f*cking around” on YouTube and found evidence that Makhachev had drug issues.

He explained that his experience in the Octagon had made him realize that “something was interesting about Islam,” which was “not human.”

On top of his exceptional strength, fans also argue that the significant height difference between Makhachev and Volkanovski would give the 31-year-old too much of an advantage over his Aussie opponent.

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