Movlid Khaybulaev has been stripped of his PFL featherweight title and banned for a year after failing a drugs test.
The US Anti-Doping Agency said the Russian fighter tested positive for EPO, a banned substance that boosts red blood cells and improves endurance. His one-year suspension has been backdated to 1 August, the day his sample was taken.
Khaybulaev, 35, had beaten Jesus Pinedo on that same day to win the PFL featherweight final for the second time. As a result of the failed test, the PFL has disqualified him from the 2025 tournament and removed his title, prize money and all bonus awards.
The PFL said it has a zero-tolerance policy on performance-enhancing drugs and is committed to fair competition and athlete safety.
Khaybulaev first won the featherweight title in 2021, when he defeated Britain’s Brendan Loughnane in the semi-finals before going on to fight for the $1m prize. Loughnane later reacted on social media, saying the situation had cost him millions.
EPO is a synthetic hormone that increases oxygen delivery to muscles and has previously led to high-profile bans in combat sports.
