Brendan Schaub Taking Conor McGregor Over Jose Aldo Because Of New Drug Testing
As the UFC moves forward into a new era of stricter standards and punishments for performance-enhancing drug (PED) use in MMA, there’s bound to be potential for a drop-off in the performance of fighters caught using anabolic steroids and similar banned substances.
In fact, several high-profile names have been caught using PEDs this year. While they’ve yet to come back to fight, it’s hardy to argue there wasn’t a large drop in physical prowess for testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT) users after it was banned last year.
There’s obviously no guarantee that this will be the case, yet simple science most likely dictates that it would. It’s also tough to place any percentage of the fallout on one focus group of fighters, but that’s exactly what UFC fighter Brendan Schaub did on a recent episode of his podcast “Fighter and the Kid” with Bryan Callen.
In the episode, Schaub, who has fallen out of the UFC’s good graces somewhat for publicly lambasting their Reebok uniform sponsorship, leveled some serious accusations at Brazilian fighters, whom he believes use steroids more than any other MMA demographic.
Check out his harsh segment right here courtesy of BloodyElbow.com:
Schaub: Hey, real quick. I’m just gonna throw this out there. You guys can say what you want. I mean yeah, Demian Maia looked good, but…since this, uh…I might take some heat for this, but whatever. Since this drug testing, anyone notice the ol’ Brazilians ain’t doing too well? Ever notice the people, the ol’ South America ain’t doing too hot since this drug testing thing?
Callen: Brendan, are you suggesting that Brazilians are on drugs?
Schaub: I’m just saying, if there are disciplines of MMA for Brazilians, it’s (counting on his fingers) Muay Thai, Jiu-jitsu, steroids, boxing. I’m just saying. It’s weird. It’s weird.
Callen: Brendan, I’m going to ask you to be a little more fair in your critique.
Schaub: Okay, name a Brazilian who is doing well right now since the drug testing came out. Besides Demian Maia.
Callen: Demian Maia. And…other people.
Schaub: And this is why I’m taking Conor McGregor over Aldo. For this exact reason.
Callen: Are you suggesting that this great champion, Jose Aldo…
Schaub: No. I’m just saying it’s very fishy. Just look at Renan Barao. Didn’t look very good.
“Big Brown” somewhat backhandedly accused Jose Aldo and Renan Barao of using PEDs, suggesting that “The Baron’” recent loss to TJ Dillashaw was because of the new, more stringent testing, and he also believes it a reason why Aldo will not regain the belt when he finally does square off with interim champion “Notorious;” presumably at a massive pay-per-view (PPV) event possibly in December.
Right or wrong, there currently isn’t any evidence that would prove Schaub’s claims have any degree of truth to them.
With a lackluster UFC record to his name, Schaub could be trying to stay in the public eye by belting out some serious suggestions on the air. Do you believe there’s validity to his bold statements?
