Gordon Ryan again ignited controversy by advocating for the acceptance of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in martial arts, stating:

If people want to see the best athletes, the best athletes are the people on PEDs.

And, well, his comments sparked intense backlash. For example, from UFC veteran Mark Hunt.
Hunt, known for his strong stance against PEDs, took it to social media to share his unfiltered opinion on Ryan:

This absolute rat cheater is condoning steroids thats how your friends UFC and Dana White got into the civil rico case they about to lose.

Let all these cheating rats catch a battery charge – steroids is not in the scope of any sport and jail is what u really need.

That’s where this fool Dana White is going next year…
UFC, promoting steroid users.

This absolute rat cheater is condoning steroids thats how your freinds @ufc and @danawhite got into the civil rico case they about to lose let all
These cheating rats catch a battery charge steroids is not in the scope of any sport and jail is what u really need thats where this… https://t.co/hNeYEJla3p

— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) December 8, 2024

Hunt’s response stems from his own experience with PED use in MMA, most notably during his infamous fight against Brock Lesnar at UFC 200 in 2016.

Lesnar initially won the bout via unanimous decision, but the result was later overturned to a no-contest after Lesnar tested positive for PEDs.
Hunt alleged that the UFC knowingly allowed a PED-using athlete to compete against him, violating the terms of a clean competition.

The lawsuit, which was dismissed in 2019, was reopened last year and has since gained momentum.
Now representing himself, Hunt maintains that he only agreed to the bout under the assurance of a PED-free competition.

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