Marlon Vera claims several UFC fighters are getting away with 'cheating' despite USADA testing

On the Believe You Me podcast with Michael Bisping and Anthony Smith, Marlon Vera claimed that several fighters in the UFC are on steroids - and finding ways of gaming the system. Both podcast hosts agreed with Vera's take on the existing problem of steroid usage in the UFC.

The conversation started with Michael Bisping pointing to fighters announcing their retirement and subsequently leaving the USADA testing pool. They would then apparently use steroids to enhance the healing process from debilitating injuries and cycle the substance out of their system only to later make a comeback.

Check out Marlon Vera's analysis of steroid use by current UFC fighters in the video below:

Here's what Chito Vera said:

"It's crazy, the moment you retire you're out of the pool. I'm like, at least test the guy for a year. Or anybody, right? But who knows? I really believe [that] even if USADA randomly tests you, they can only test you from six [AM] to six [PM]. If you have money and a decent doctor [you can definitely get away with cheating]. I believe that people are still cheating until this day."

Anthony Smith chimed in, saying that he agreed with 'Chito' Vera before the bantamweight fighter continued saying:

"I heard [that] there are drugs [that] you can take, and literally overnight, it kind of, like disappears [from your system]. And, like, you can go for a vacation, [you can do many things to cheat]. Like, USADA is effective but are USADA testing people in a f*****g third world country? Or [are they testing people] deep down in f*****g Russia, I don't know. I live in f*****g California, they come to my house all the time. I would rather die than cheat, so. That's just me, right?"

Bisping pointed out that it wasn't just Vera, but he and Anthony Smith were also in the same boat as him with regard to their stance on using PEDs.

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When Marlon Vera put the brakes on Sean O'Malley's undefeated streak

To this day, the only man to have stopped Sean O'Malley inside the octagon is Marlon Vera. The bantamweight phenoms met in a much-anticipated bout at UFC 252.

Vera was able to mount a leg-kick offense on O'Malley, leaving the No.1-ranked bantamweight contender's right foot severely injured. Sensing his injury, 'Chito' rushed O'Malley and was able to finish him with elbows and punches in the first round.

The kick was so debilitating that Sean O'Malley was diagnosed with 'drop foot' as a result of nerve damage from one of Chito Vera's leg kicks.

Marlon Vera is currently on a four-fight win streak in the UFC, with wins over names like Frankie Edgar, Rob Font, and Dominick Cruz. He has a promotional record of 14-6 and an overall MMA record of 20-7 (1 NC).