Jake Paul is gearing up for his return to the ring against former UFC fighter Mike Perry, but accusations have already surfaced regarding the influencer potentially using steroids before their scheduled match.

Originally slated to face Mike Tyson on July 20, the 57-year-old had to delay his fight due to an ulcer flare-up. Mike Perry stepped in as a replacement, boasting a recent 5-0 record in bare-knuckle fighting.

During a June 21 appearance on the Overdogs Podcast, Perry was questioned about the drug testing protocols for their upcoming bout. Host Ice Bagz jokingly suggested Jake Paul was ‘running hot,’ a potential side effect of steroid use. Perry responded, “Well, he’s gotta be hot. If he went from, you know, 210, if he really did go to 230, he had to use something. He had to use something to get there.”

Perry acknowledged uncertainty about the testing procedures, implying disparity in testing frequency between himself and Paul. Reflecting on his experience, Perry noted facing opponents and training with individuals allegedly using performance-enhancing drugs. Despite this, Perry maintained his focus on training and fighting, emphasizing his mental preparation and dedication.

Accusations of steroid use against Jake Paul aren’t new; both Tyron Woodley and Nate Diaz, two of Paul’s previous opponents, have made similar claims, which Paul has consistently denied. The issue gained attention during a lie detector test experiment involving Jake and his brother, Logan, where Jake humorously mentioned performance-enhancing effects of Viagra before denying any use of such substances.

As the build-up continues for their upcoming bout, scrutiny over Jake Paul’s alleged steroid use adds a layer of controversy to the already highly anticipated match.