Zubaira Tukhugov removed from UFC Fight Night 102 for potential anti-doping violation

Featherweight Zubaira Tukhugov has been removed from next month’s UFC Fight Night 102 event following a potential doping violation.

UFC officials today announced that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has informed Tukhugov of a potential violation stemming from out-of-competition samples collected on Sept. 7 and Oct. 29.

Tukhugov has been provisionally suspended by USADA, and UFC officials are currently in the process of trying to locate a replacement opponent to face Brazilian featherweight Tiago Trator.

“USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC anti-doping policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case,” the UFC’s statement read. “It is important to note that, under the UFC anti-doping policy, there is a full fair legal review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Consistent with all previous potential anti-doping violations, additional information or UFC statements will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”

Trator (20-5-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) hasn’t fought since a September 2015 win over Clay Collard at UFC 191. Meanwhile, Tukhugov (18-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) saw a nine-fight winning streak end at May’s UFC 198, where he suffered a split-decision loss to Renato Carneiro.

With the change to the card, UFC Fight Night 102 now includes:

• Derrick Lewis vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov
• Anthony Hamilton vs. Francis Ngannou
• Patrick Cummins vs. Gian Villante
• Raphael Assuncao vs. Aljamain Sterling
• Corey Anderson vs. Sean O’Connell
• Juliana Lima vs. Tatiana Suarez
• Randy Brown vs. Brian Camozzi
• Oluwale Bamgbose vs. Joseph Gigliotti
• Andrew Sanchez vs. Trevor Smith
• Tiago Trator vs. opponent TBA
• Marc Diakiese vs. Frankie Perez
• Keith Berish vs. Ryan Janes

For more on UFC Fight Night 102, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.