Islam Makhachev once tested positive for same banned drug as Maria Sharapova

21 October 2023 , 09:00

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Islam Makhachev fights Alexander Volkanovski tonight (Image: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was once suspended from competition after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium.

Meldonium is a metabolic modulator that improves oxygen transport to the muscles, aiding athletes in both performance and recovery. The substance had been allowed before January 2016, but it then was found to be used in enough athletes' cycles of performance-enhancing drugs to be worthy of a ban.

Tennis star Maria Sharapova tested positive for meldonium in March 2016 and although she insisted the drug was prescribed to her by her doctor to combat diabetes and magnesium deficiency, she was slapped with a 15-month suspension. Just a month after news of Sharapova's positive test came out, Makhachev was pulled from his fight against Drew Dober after he tested positive for the substance in a urine sample.

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It took USADA three months to clear Makhachev of any wrongdoing after his positive test as they declared the Russian took it "without fault or negligence". The drug-testing organisation put Makhachev's result down to a "radiofrequency ablation procedure for frequent ventricular arrhythmia"that he underwent in December 2014, with a doctor prescribing him meldonium shortly after "as a preventive measure against a potential relapse".

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"After a thorough review of the case, USADA concluded that the extremely low meldonium concentration in the athlete's urine sample, combined with the athlete's explanation of use, was consistent with ingestion prior to the substance being officially prohibited on January 1, 2016," a statement read. "Based on the latest guidance offered by WADA on June 30, 2016, for cases involving meldonium, Makhachev will not face a period of ineligibility for his positive test."

Makhachev is back in action tonight as he looks to make the second defence of his lightweight world title against familiar foe Alexander Volkanovski following Charles Oliveira's withdrawal from the event. The pair fought in February as Makhachev won a hard-fought decision on the night and he is unbothered about facing the featherweight champion again on short notice.

"Life has changed since becoming champion but I love how my life has changed," Makhachev said. "When they changed my opponent to Volkanovski I think I am more happy, last fight against him was a very good fight. Everybody wanted to watch the fight against Volkanovski again, not Oliveira."

Harry Davies