Coach Pederneiras calls Brendan Schaub's steroid allegations 'a case of envy'

Brendan Schaub thinks that there’s something “weird” to struggles by Brazilian fighters since enhanced drug testing has kicked in for the UFC. Those struggles are why, he says, he’ll be picking Conor McGregor to top Jose Aldo when the two finally meet.

“I’m just gonna throw this out there,” Schaub said on his The Fighter and the Kid podcast. “You guys can say what you want. Yeah, Demian Maia looked good. 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?”

Schaub (10-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) didn’t stop with those slightly vague allegations, as he quickly laid his point out in plain terms.

“I’m just saying,” Schaub said. “If there are disciplines of MMA for Brazilians, it’s Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, steroids, boxing. I’m just saying. It’s weird.”

While Schaub stopped short of directly accusing Aldo (25-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) of using steroids, he did indicate that his prior comments were why he expects McGregor (17-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) to get the best of the UFC featherweight champion whenever the two finally meet.

Aldo and McGregor were set to meet for Aldo’s title in the main event of UFC 189 but Aldo suffered a rib injury, forcing him out of the bout and McGregor into a bout with Chad Mendes for an interim title. McGregor stopped Mendes in the second round to preserve the heavily hyped bout with Aldo.

The UFC’s enhanced drug testing program went into effect on July 1.

Aldo’s coach, Andre Pederneiras responded to the accusations with a lengthy statement provided to Brazilian outlet Globo.

“I found Brendan Schaub’s allegations to be very grave and serious,” Pederneiras said. “I think that, before talking so much nonsense, Mr. Schaub should be better informed. When the anti-doping policy was announced to me by UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby, I asked him if, for Aldo’s fight, the UFC could perform daily tests on both Aldo and McGregor. This same request was made to Mr. Jeff Novitzky, responsible for anti-doping in the UFC – that the athletes be tested at least three times a week. And, in the last meeting with Dana (White), I made the same request to him. So, I hereby make the same request again to the UFC, Dana and Lorenzo Fertitta: test Aldo and McGregor at least three times every week, for three months before the fight. I will take care of the costs, as promised in all the times I said this to everyone I’ve mentioned.

“To accuse my athletes of doping is at the very least a case of envy due to their accomplishments – accomplishments we have never seen, nor will we ever see in your career, Mr. Schaub. Don’t try to sully the careers of clean persons who’ve worked hard their entire lives. We are not to blame for your failure as a fighter and athlete. I ask you to remember your insignificance in the sport, when you mention any Brazilian or athlete on my team. Wash your mouth, as neither the name of my country or of my athletes should be spoken of, by people as mediocre as you.”

There was some concern ahead of the McGregor bout when a drug testing sample from Aldo had to be discarded after the collector ran into travel issues. The UFC later announced that Aldo passed a test once the issues were ironed out.

“I find it offensive, talking about Brazilian and South American people, as doping can give an edge to anyone, and not just by Brazilians,” Pedernares’ statement continued. “His statement implies that no athlete from another country has been caught in doping, only Brazilians. And if today some Brazilian athletes were caught, they certainly didn’t learn it here.

“To accuse others, especially, various fighters without proof, seems like prejudice. To me, it’s just resentment for the success of Brazilians. If we think about it, it’s really unbelievable what we Brazilians can do. We don’t train from childhood. We don’t have adequate food at a young age, which as everyone knows, is most important. We don’t have proper nutritional supplementation, since we can’t afford the high supplement prices in Brazil. Not to mention the lack of sponsors who believe in the sport. Yet, we come to the world’s largest organization, fight as equals against athletes from any other country, and most of the time we win. Even if we are regarded as a third-world country, rather than besmirch, you should have respect for us. Because if today you make money in this sport, you have to thank my country as well as Brazilian athletes, the creators of this sport.”

Pedernares finished up his statement with a renewed call for at least 36 drug tests to be taken by McGregor and Aldo leading up to their bout, which is rumored to be targeted for a huge UFC 194 stadium show at Cowboy Stadium in Dallas in December.

“After this frivolous and baseless accusation, I reiterate my request to the UFC, Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta, that during the three months before the fight between Aldo and McGregor, both athletes be tested at least three times a week, blood and urine,” Pedernares said. “I will pay myself for all the extra costs that this may entail. Faced with this whole situation, I don’t see how this does not happen now for this fight.

“My name is Andre Pederneiras. I am very honored to be Brazilian. The only thing I ask from MMA fighters is to respect my country, because if this sport exists today, it is only because we Brazilians created it!”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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