Mairbek Taisumov agrees to six-month USADA suspension

It hasn’t been a good week for UFC fighters and USADA. TJ Dillashaw was handed down at 2-year suspension by anti-doping agency and now UFC lightweight Mairbek Taisumov is the latest victim.

According to a statement from the USADA website, Taisumov has accepted a six-month suspension and has tested positive for a pair of stanozolol metabolites, 3′-hydroxystanozolol-O-glucuronide and 16β-hydroxystanozolol-O-glucuronide.

The positive test stems from an in-competition sample collected on Sept. 15, 2018 at UFC Moscow, where the 30-year-old defeated Desmond Green by unanimous decision. It was the same bout where the Russian fighter also came in five-pounds over the 155-pound weight limit. At the time of the publication of this article, there is no update on if the result of that lightweight contest will be overturned. That will ultimately be determined by the UFC and the suspension is retroactive to Oct 8, 2018.

In addition, it appears that Taisumov provided the proper information to USADA including the dietary supplements he was taking during the period in question. It was here the agency found out all the supplements contained stanozol and therefore they had enough evidence to lay down the ruling. Here’s what USADA had to say

“Here, USADA took into consideration the circumstances that resulted in Taisumov’s positive test and determined that a six-month period of ineligibility was an appropriate sanction under the rules for his violation.”

Mairbek Taisumov (26-5) is currently riding a six-fight win streak and has finished five of his opponents during that span. Despite his 7-1 record in the octagon, his lack of activity has kept him out of the Top 15 lightweight rankings. The Tiger Muay Thai product has only fought three times since 2016, mainly due to visa issues and injuries. His lone loss in the UFC came to Michel Prazeres at UFC Fight Night 38 where he lost by unanimous decision.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 4/12/2019.