Johnny Eblen Blames Conor McGregor for Surge in Retired Fighters Returning After PED Use

Johnny Eblen Blames Conor McGregor for Surge in Retired Fighters Returning After PED UseJohnny Eblen thinks Conor McGregor is responsible for an unsettling trend in the world of MMA. Earlier this month,…

Johnny Eblen Blames Conor McGregor for Surge in Retired Fighters Returning After PED Use

Johnny Eblen thinks Conor McGregor is responsible for an unsettling trend in the world of MMA.

Earlier this month, UFC Hall of Famer Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone announced his plans to come out of retirement for two more fights inside the Octagon, his goal being to reach 50 fights under the Zuffa (WEC and UFC) banner. However, his declaration of intent has been met with very little excitement. In fact, practically everyone is of the opinion that it’s a bad idea, including UFC CEO Dana White.

Following his fight at the PFL ‘Battle of the Giants’ pay-per-view in Riyadh over the weekend, Bellator middleweight titleholder Johnny Eblen expressed his disdain for the idea of a ‘Cowboy’ return and placed blame on McGregor for the recent trend of fighters coming out of retirement after getting juiced up.

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea to retire, take a bunch of steroids, and then come back and fight again,” Eblen said, speaking to the media at the PFL ‘Battle of the Giants’ press conference. “It’s not a good look. I think Conor [McGregor] paved the way, I think he’s influencing a lot of other people to do it, and I think people are trying to fight past their prime and use all these substances and it’s just not natural, it’s not good.

“Your brain doesn’t heal from steroids. So all that CTE just adds up. I’m very against steroids, I’m very against people fighting past their prime.”

Conor McGregor wasn’t as upfront about his alleged PED use as ‘cowboy’ was

While on the red carpet for the UFC 2023 Hall of Fame ceremony, Cerrone was very open about his use of banned substances following his retirement from the sport a year earlier.

“I mean, right now, all the good sh*t after the non-USADA approved sh*t, I feel like I’m f*cking 21 again,” Cerrone told reporters last year on the UFC Hall of Fame red carpet. “You know what I’m saying? I’m telling you, guys — any of you fighters when you’re done, go ahead and get on the TRT and put your wife in a bind because that’s when you’ll feel like an 18-year-old boy again” (h/t MMA Junkie).

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Though Conor McGregor was not nearly as open about his alleged PED use while recovering from the broken leg he suffered against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, ‘Mystic Mac’ certainly didn’t deny using additional substances to help with the healing process.

That on top of the flood of pictures featuring an absolutely jacked McGregor on social media led almost everyone to believe that he was on the juice while out of the USADA testing pool.

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On Saturday, Eblen successfully defended his Bellator middleweight championship against Fabian Edwards for the second time in 13 months. After finishing Edwards via TKO in the third round of their first meeting, the champ needed the full 25 minutes to ensure he walked away with his title intact in Saudi Arabia.

‘Pressure’ is a perfect 16-0 in his MMA career with four submission victories and three by way of KO/TKO.

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Coach: Fans Would “Love” McGregor vs. Cerrone

Once his suspension is up, the UFC will certainly want to get Conor McGregor booked for a fight. “The Notorious” hasn’t competed since October when he was defeated by Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, due to his involvement in the post-fi…

Once his suspension is up, the UFC will certainly want to get Conor McGregor booked for a fight. “The Notorious” hasn’t competed since October when he was defeated by Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, due to his involvement in the post-fight brawl between both teams, McGregor has been handed a six-month suspension. He’ll be eligible to return […]

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Cowboy Cerrone Reveals His Next UFC Fight Is “In The Works”

Many mixed martial arts (MMA) fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone’s next fight. Mostly due to the fact that it’s believed there’s a possibility it could be against Conor McGregor. “C…

Many mixed martial arts (MMA) fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone’s next fight. Mostly due to the fact that it’s believed there’s a possibility it could be against Conor McGregor. “Cowboy” beat Alexander Hernandez at the UFC on ESPN+ 1 event in Brooklyn earlier this month. After the win, Cerrone made […]

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Donald Cerrone Says His Next UFC Fight Is “In The Works”

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone is hoping for a big fight next. Cerrone defeated Alexander Hernandez on the UFC on ESPN+ 1 prelims earlier this month. With his knockout win over Hernandez, “Cowboy” is gearing up for another run at the 155-pound title. He recently did an “Ask Me Anything” on his Instagram, but said he wouldn’t […]

The post Donald Cerrone Says His Next UFC Fight Is “In The Works” appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone is hoping for a big fight next.

Cerrone defeated Alexander Hernandez on the UFC on ESPN+ 1 prelims earlier this month. With his knockout win over Hernandez, “Cowboy” is gearing up for another run at the 155-pound title. He recently did an “Ask Me Anything” on his Instagram, but said he wouldn’t be answering questions about his next fight because that’s currently “in the works”:

“What would you like to Know? Ask anything? (only not about my next fight because that’s in the works and I can’t give you a answer)”

After defeating Hernandez, Cerrone called for a top-ranked lightweight opponent. He named former UFC “champ champ” Conor McGregor specifically. Cerrone has been linked to a dream match-up with the Irishman for some time now. But it’s looking more and more like that fight actually could happen.

Soon after calling “The Notorious” out, McGregor agreed to fight “Cowboy” in a Tweet:

“For a fight like that Donald, I’ll fight you. Congratulations.”

Several days later, Cerrone poked at the rumored match-up yet again. He said he’d have some Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey with McGregor at the pre-fight press conference before their fight. “Cowboy” also volunteered to bring some beer as well:

“Don’t worry @thenotoriousmma I’ll drink @properwhiskey at the Press Conference with ya!! Hell I’ll bring the budweiser”

McGregor responded by saying it sounds like a party:

“Sounds like a party!”

The mixed martial arts (MMA) community seems to love the match-up between McGregor and Cerrone on paper. It’s a great opportunity for both men. Cerrone could earn the second-ever UFC title shot of his career with a huge win over the promotion’s biggest star of all time. And McGregor could get right back in the title hunt by defeating a fellow top 155-pounder like Cerrone.

It will be interesting to see if the UFC tries to make the fight happen.

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Alexander Hernandez Predicts “Violent Passing Of The Torch” Against “Cowboy”

Alexander Hernandez will have the biggest fight of his career in the featured preliminary card bout of UFC Brooklyn this weekend (Sat. January 19, 2019). Hernandez is set to step into the cage against the UFC’s all-time leader in wins, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. Cerrone comes off a submission victory over Mike Perry this past November. […]

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Alexander Hernandez will have the biggest fight of his career in the featured preliminary card bout of UFC Brooklyn this weekend (Sat. January 19, 2019).

Hernandez is set to step into the cage against the UFC’s all-time leader in wins, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. Cerrone comes off a submission victory over Mike Perry this past November. Hernandez has won both of his fights under the UFC banner, making a splash in his late-notice debut against talented veteran Beneil Dariush with a 42-second knockout in March.

With a win over Cerrone so early in his UFC run, he could shoot right to the top of a deep talent pool at 155 pounds. Speaking to media ahead of the fight, Hernandez agreed that this will be a passing of the torch moment against Cerrone in Brooklyn. However, he predicts the affair will be a violent one (via MMAjunkie):

“Absolutely (it’s a passing-of-the-torch moment),” Hernandez said. “With all due respect to him, it’s going to be a violent handoff. I think that he’s presented himself as an active participant and entertainer. I’m on my way to the throne and about to enter the new age.”

The 26-year-old doesn’t think Cerrone accepting a fight with him was in the former 155-pound title challenger’s best interest. But he’s grateful that Cerrone ultimately opted to do so:

“I’m extraordinarily gracious that he would accept a fight with me,” Hernandez said. “I don’t think it’s in his best interest, but I thank those (expletive) ‘Cowboy’ balls for accepting. Hat’s off to him.

“I do have respect for him, but there’s a difference between watching a guy on the screen and standing across from him in the octagon. I will be the most disrespectful man he could ever look across from on Saturday night.”

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Cowboy Hopes He Can Land Conor McGregor Bout Next

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone has a tough task ahead of him this weekend (Sat. January 19, 2018). He’ll face rising lightweight prospect Alexander Hernandez at UFC on ESPN+ 1 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The young up-and-…

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone has a tough task ahead of him this weekend (Sat. January 19, 2018). He’ll face rising lightweight prospect Alexander Hernandez at UFC on ESPN+ 1 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The young up-and-comer made quite the impact during his UFC debut this past March. He made quick work of […]

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