TLDR
- Derrick Lewis said on his podcast that the UFC provided him with peptides, raising concerns about banned substance use
- UFC anti-doping chief Jeff Novitzky clarified Lewis received legal, third-party tested injectable compounds, not peptides
- REGNR8RX, the supplement company, stated Lewis misspoke and all their products are WADA-compliant
- Lewis apologized for the confusion, saying he used the wrong terminology because peptides has become common language for supplements
- The clarification ensures Lewis can still compete against Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 324 this weekend
Sources: Yahoo Sports | MiddleEasy | EssentiallySports
Derrick Lewis has issued a public apology after comments he made on his podcast suggested the UFC provided him with peptides for his training camp ahead of UFC 324. The heavyweight fighter now says he used the wrong word to describe his supplements.
Lewis originally stated on his podcast that “UFC provided me with some great peptides, I’ve been taking it every day, and I’ve been feeling a difference.” The comment raised immediate concerns because nearly all peptides are considered banned substances under the UFC’s anti-doping program.
The controversy spread quickly across social media, with fans questioning whether “The Black Beast” had accidentally admitted to using illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Some pointed to recent cases like Mohammed Usman, who received a lengthy suspension for using the peptide BPC-157.
Derrick Lewis walks back peptides claim coming into UFC 324: ‘I misspoke’ | MMA Mania#ufc #mma #DerrickLewis https://t.co/ElQfZZ0WRg
— Positive4sure (@positive4sure) January 21, 2026
UFC Anti-Doping Chief Steps In
Jeff Novitzky, the UFC’s anti-doping executive, was the first to respond publicly. He clarified on social media that “UFC did not provide Derrick Lewis with peptides.”
Novitzky explained that Lewis received “injectable compounds that are 3rd party tested and certified as allowed at all times.” He said the fighter simply didn’t know the proper terminology to describe what he was taking.
The compounds in question came from a company called REGNR8RX, which is a UFC sponsor. The company released a detailed statement denying any involvement with banned substances.
“UFC does NOT provide any REGNR8RX products to any persons or athletes,” the statement read. “All products come directly from REGNR8RX.”
The company stressed that Lewis “accidentally misspoke in referring to his supplements as ‘peptides.'” They explained that the term “peptide” has become common in everyday language to describe beneficial supplements, which may have caused the confusion.
REGNR8RX emphasized that all their products are WADA-compliant and TruShield-Certified. The company stated that “all REGNR8RX formulations are composed only of molecules which occur naturally in the human body, specifically excluding ANY designed or engineered substances, including experimental ‘peptides.'”
Lewis Issues Full Apology
Lewis released his own statement addressing the confusion. “All I was trying to communicate was that I have never felt better in my career and products provided by REGNR8RX have made a major difference in my camp,” he said.
He admitted the mistake came from speaking too casually. “I misspoke probably because I know that RGNR8RX is a sponsor of the UFC and I know they work directly with many elite UFC fighters,” Lewis explained.
The heavyweight fighter apologized for suggesting the UFC directly provided him with products. “I apologize for any confusion and trouble this may have caused saying I received these products from the UFC but that is not the case,” he stated.
Lewis mentioned that his coach Justin Adams immediately clarified the products were from REGNR8RX right after he made the original comments. He said at the time, his team didn’t think the wording would become an issue.
The controversy threatened to overshadow Lewis’s upcoming fight against Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 324. The event marks the first UFC card on Paramount+ this weekend.
With the clarification from both Novitzky and REGNR8RX, Lewis’s fight remains on schedule. The UFC confirmed that all substances Lewis has been using are allowed under current anti-doping rules and pose no threat to his eligibility to compete.
