Jon Fitch responds to Firas Zahabi calling him a drug cheat

In 2015 Jon Fitch lost to Rousimar Palhares in a California WSoF event, and then failed a PED test, for which he was suspended nine months.

Fitch fights Rory MacDonald at Bellator 220 on April 27 in San Jose, California. During a DAZN interview, MacDonald’s coach Firas Zahabi was scathing in his criticism of Fitch.

There’s no question about it – Jon Fitch tested positive for illegal substances, PEDS, performance-enhancing drugs, he’s had a major resurgence in his career, said Zahabi. The truth of the matter is he’s not as good as people think he is. He’s really just a cheater.

Uncharacteristically for the sport, Fitch acknowledged wrongdoing.

I did, I cheated. There’s no hiding from that, said Fitch to Damon Martin for MMA News. I was struggling financially, we were just exiting the period of TRT where people could get therapeutic exemptions to use testosterone. I found out that there were guys I fought who were on legal testosterone and that bothered me. Because I got released from the UFC, I was making 70-percent less money and there are guys who I know were on legal TRT are still competing in the UFC, still competing at a high level and making way more money than me. I’m thinking to myself why am I holding myself back from making money when all these guys are cheating, everybody is turning a blind eye to them, why don’t I do what they do? I’m fighting a guy who’s known for cheating in multiple different ways. I rationalized the experience and it was a horrible experience. It was the stupidest thing ever. I’m kind of embarrassed.

I hope talking about it openly will discourage other guys. Because I’ve said this before, it’s not helpful in a weight class sport. I really don’t. The recovery isn’t anything to be noted. You can eat garbage food and look great but I didn’t see any type of benefit from it.

Fitch did deny that he continued to dope, and said Zahabi was excuse making.