Khabib Nurmagomedov's training partner fails a doping test and loses his PFL title.

Movlid Khaybulaev with Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.

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The Dagestan Clan suffered a major blow to its reputation this week, and it happened completely outside the octagon. Movlid Khaybulaev , a member of the team and winner of the 2025 PFL featherweight tournament (up to 65,7 kg), tested positive in a USADA anti-doping test on the day of the championship final against Peruvian Jesus Pinedo. As a result, the fighter is suspended for 12 months and will only be able to return to competition in August 2026, when the fight will be one year old.

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The organization issued an official statement on its social media last Wednesday (17). Through this, it informed that the athlete was disqualified from the tournament, and therefore, gave up not only the status of champion but also the prizes linked to the conquest and the belt. For now, the New Jersey Athletic Commission has not commented on the matter and therefore the fight remains a victory in the Russian's record.

 

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This was the first time Khaybulaev tested positive for doping. Undefeated with 24 wins and one draw, the Russian also has a no-contest due to an ironic episode, to say the least. In 2019, he was knocked out by Daniel Pineda in the first round, but his opponent tested positive in a doping test shortly afterward. Thus, his undefeated record was restored.

The drug used by Khabib's protégé is known in the sports world.

T. Dillashaw served a two-year suspension for doping. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

According to the agency, which ended its partnership with the PFL a few days after the tournament final, the substance found in the test was recombinant erythropoietin, a synthetic version of EPO. The drug stimulates the production of red blood cells and consequently improves the cardiovascular system. It is administered exclusively by injection.

In the UFC, the most prominent case of an athlete involved in the use of the substance was TJ Dillashaw . The then bantamweight champion (up to 61,2 kg) was caught doping after facing Henry Cejudo in the flyweight category (up to 56,7 kg). He lost his Ultimate title and was suspended.

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