"We'll see who's clean and who's not"- 'Big' John McCarthy on why Conor McGregor not being tested by USADA for about a year might not be a big deal

Conor McGregor is the only UFC fighter who has not been tested by USADA in 2022. Former mixed martial arts referee and current analyst John McCarthy shared why he believes the lack of testing is not as big of a deal as many believe it to be.

After cross-referencing the entire active UFC roster with USADA's athlete test history database, I found that Conor McGregor was the lone active fighter, (aside from some athletes who signed after Aug. 1) to not be tested by USADA.

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Speaking on his WEIGHING IN podcast, John McCarthy shared his thoughts on Conor McGregor's lack of USADA testing:

"Conor will be tested before he comes back... The guy has not been fighting. Whatever he's doing as far as getting himself healed and ready, just get yourself ready to fight. When that fight comes in, I want to see him tested, I want to see everyone around him tested and we'll see who's clean and who's not."

McCarthy speculated that McGregor could have been cleared to use a banned medication that was prescribed by his doctor as he recovers from a broken leg suffered at UFC 264. McCarthy added:

"You can't sit there and say anything now because he hasn't been tested. 'Oh, that means he's on steroids.' Well, he might have been taking something that would be considered based upon trying to heal up his leg from the nasty injury that he had and the surgery that he had, all possible."

Watch John McCarthy discuss Conor McGregor's lack of USADA testing below (starting at the 51:46 mark):

Conor McGregor steroid usage suggested by Justin Gaethje

During his recovery from injury, Conor McGregor has visibly grown in size, while also avoiding USADA testing. This has led many to speculate that the No.12-ranked lightweight is using banned substances. No.3- ranked Justin Gaethje recently shared that he believes McGregor is indeed taking steroids.

Speaking to MMA Fighting, Gaethje stated:

"Sounds to me like he's off taking steroids right now. He hasn't been drug tested by USADA in quite some time. I'm looking for fair competition. If he's on steroids, then give me steroids and let's go. I'm down with that. My health is my biggest factor."

While Gaethje's comments are controversial, he could also be angling for a money fight against the UFC's most profitable fighter of all-time. It was recently reported that Gaethje could be the opponent for McGregor's return fight in early 2023.

Per MMA pack Conor McGregor will comeback at welterweight early next year against Justin Gaethje https://t.co/sW1Yzgduwx

Check out Justin Gaethje's comments on the Irishman below:

Justin Gaethje is willing to fight Conor McGregor, but is "looking for fair competition."

"Sounds to me like he’s off taking steroids right now. He hasn’t been drug tested by USADA in quite some time."

Full interview with @MikeHeck_JR ▶️ youtu.be/RMkLgYAZY7k https://t.co/D3bQMeunmS