A planned meeting between Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober has been scrapped after Makhachev’s drug test came back flagged for a banned substance.
The two were set for the prelims Saturday at UFC on FOX 19.
Earlier in the day, Makhachev missed weight for his lightweight scrap with Dober, who will receive his show money according to a report by MMAFighting.com. Makhachev did make weight upon his second attempt after cutting the half-pound.
“I’m heartbroken I am not allowed to perform and entertain the fans. I appreciate USADA and the UFC for keeping their fighters safe. It’s unfortunate but on to the next one,” Dober said in a statement. “I took this fight so I could have a black eye for my wedding ceromony. So next is a suit and some dancing then i will plan my next fight, hopefully Madison Square Garden.”
The UFC has since released a statement confirming the report:
“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed Islam Makhachev of a potential Anti-Doping Policy Violation involving Meldonium, a prohibited substance, stemming from a recent out-of-competition sample collection. In accordance with the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, Makhachev has received a provisional suspension, and has been removed from his scheduled bout against Drew Dober from Saturday’s card in Tampa, Florida.
“The UFC Anti-Doping Program follows the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List of Substances, which is updated yearly. Meldonium was recently added to the WADA Prohibited List, which went into effect on January 1, 2016. WADA recently announced that they are currently conducting further studies of the substance which may influence how cases involving Meldonium are evaluated. In order to ensure Makhachev receives full and fair due process, USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will consider all relevant information before making any determinations.
Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
