USADA: UFC's Abdul-Kerim Edilov accepts anti-doping sanction, suspended 15 months

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) today announced Abdul-Kerim Edilov has accepted a sanction for his anti-doping policy violation.

In February the UFC’s drug-testing partner announced Edilov, a 24-year-old Chechen fighter who’s yet to make his UFC debut, had been notified of a potential anti-doping policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition test.

USADA officials today announced Edilov tested positive for meldonium. He’s accepted a 15-month suspension, retroactive to Jan. 7.

According to USADA:

“Meldonium is a non-specified substance that was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List in 2016. It is in the category of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators and is now prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the WADA Prohibited List.

“After a thorough review of the laboratory results and the evidence presented, USADA accepted Edilov’s explanation that the meldonium was a prescribed medication he was taking in a therapeutic dose under the care of a physician and without the intent to enhance his athletic performance. Nonetheless, because Edilov’s use of meldonium continued after the substance was officially prohibited on January 1, 2016, he required a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) in order to avoid violating the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.”

Edilov (16-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was expected to make his UFC debut in January at UFC Fight Night 81. Stepping in on short notice and boasting a 10-fight winning streak – with all 10 of those victories coming by first-round stoppage – Edilov was slated to face Brazilian Francimar Barroso. However a knee injury forced Edilov to withdraw from the card, and Elvis Mutapcic took his place and ultimately lost a lackluster decision.

In all, Edilov has 15 of his 16 career wins by stoppage with eight knockouts and seven submissions. Assuming he’ll remain under UFC contract, his promotional debut now can’t come before April 7, 2017.

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