2025 PFL featherweight champion Movlid Khaybulaev has tested positive for a banned substance.
Former PFL anti-doping partner USADA announced Khaybulaev (24-0-1) has been suspended one year retroactively after submitting an in-competition sample that tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin the day of his Aug. 1 title-clinching win over Jesus Pinedo, whom he defeated by fifth-round submission.
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The bout took place at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., and was regulated by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board (NJSACB). However, it’s unclear if NJSACB will take additional action, such as a fine or overturning the result to a no contest, since the positive test came from an independent third party. MMA Junkie has reached out to NJSACB for clarity and will update this story should a response be received.
Russia’s Khaybulaev, 35, has not encountered publicly-known drug test issues in the past. He has not competed since the Aug. 1. Neither he, nor Pinedo, has commented on the situation.
USADA is no longer the PFL antidoping partner, but Khaybulaev’s test took place in the final days of the relationship. The two organizations split ways shortly after the tournament championship bouts and PFL has since hired the Mohegan Sun Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation to oversee its drug testing program.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Russian PFL champ fails drug test from night of title bout
