‘There’s a reason your health sucks’

Johnny Eblen and Gordon Ryan hold drastically different opinions on anti-doping in combat sports.

The Bellator middleweight champion, Eblen, recently voiced his criticism of Ryan’s remarks regarding the UFC’s decision to replace USADA with Drug Free International for their athlete anti-doping program.

In an Instagram post, Ryan suggested that MMA would benefit from allowing performance-enhancing drugs, as they could make the sport more entertaining and elevate the level of competition.

Eblen responded on social media, stating, “Not that I’m trying to stir up any unwarranted drama, but Ryan just stated that MMA should allow athletes to be on steroids because it would supposedly make it more entertaining. Hey bro, there’s a reason your health sucks, and it has a lot to do with you wanting to be an ‘entertainer’. Athletes are humans too, and there’s a life after fighting. Steroids and other performance enhancers destroy the possibility of a good functioning life as you age. You took that shit, and now you’re stuck, and you want to bring the rest of us down with you. I really hope MMA organizations can see the obvious set of liabilities that come from more brain damage and body damage when athletes retire. One thing is taking steroids when you grapple, and another is when you’re getting punched, kneed, elbowed, and kicked in the face. It’s convenient you say this shit about steroids while you’re grappling but not fighting. How can you be considered the goat if in order to train you had to be on steroids? You’re telling me the guy on the right really would know what he knows about grappling had he not been on the sauce? Don’t get me wrong, dudes (is) amazing at what he does, but literally can’t do anything without steroids.”

Ryan has faced accusations of steroid use due to his muscular physique and his stance on the topic. Additionally, he has experienced multiple issues with his gut health, including fluctuations in weight and chronic nausea. Ryan attributes these problems to the excessive use of antibiotics for treating infections commonly encountered in grappling.

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie