Former champion criticizes Donald Cerrone's return to MMA: 'He's using steroids'

D. Cerrone (photo) announced his retirement in UFC 276. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook ufc

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Earlier this week, Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone announced via social media his intention to return to MMA. Retired since 2022, the former fighter, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023, said he was interested in having two more fights, to finally end his professional career with 50 fights. However, this idea drew several criticisms from another big name in the sport: Daniel Cormier.

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Since leaving the octagon, the former athlete has started using anabolic steroids and has spoken openly about the subject. The changes in his body have been evident.

Donald Cerrone shocked fans after bulking up after retiring. Photo: Instagram/@cowboycerrone.

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Given this, for 'DC', Cerrone's return would allow other athletes to use this decision as a strategy to be able to use performance-enhancing drugs without the risk of being caught in anti-doping tests.

“I like Donald, but it doesn’t matter how I feel about him as a person. He’s never lied about what he’s doing, what he’s going to do, and how he’s going to apply it to his life, and I’m all for a guy who has personal goals. But at the end of the day, he’s been openly using steroids for years. He’s not clean. And even if he can come back and get tested and pass, he has to use these things in order to compete at that level again. So he would get a clean test, but isn’t that just a loophole? It’s not wrong. It’s not illegal. But it’s right?” the former champion said on his YouTube channel.

Daniel Cormier

D. Cormier (photo) was champion of two categories in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @dc_mma

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One of the greatest fighters in history, Daniel Cormier He became champion in the light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) and heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg). Throughout his career, the American has always spoken openly about being against the use of anabolic steroids in MMA and other performance-enhancing substances.

In fact, the Hall of Famer found himself involved in doping scandals in his rivalry with Jon Jones. The two fighters did not face each other at UFC 200 after 'Bones' tested positive for the substances clomiphene hydroxide and letrozole metabolites.

Subsequently, the second defeat to his archrival, in July 2017, was changed to a no-contest fight, as once again the current heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg) failed a doping test.

Jones was one of those caught by USADA before UFC 200. Photo: Disclosure/UFC