I. Makhachev next to the lightweight belt. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube
A standout in the UFC's top 15 lightweight division (up to 70,3kg), Benoit Saint-Denis sparked controversy by accusing champion Islam Makhachev of using steroids. In a statement to ' Le Figaro ', the Frenchman questioned the Russian star's integrity regarding anti-doping policies.
“As for the Nurmagomedov family, I have no doubts. (…) They are intelligent in the way they use drugs (steroids). They know how to do it very well. Makhachev was caught with meldonium (a banned substance used for performance enhancement). It is a product that led to the Russian federation being sanctioned and withdrawn from the 2016 Olympic Games. The current lightweight champion was caught in 2016,” declared Saint-Denis.
See too
On the occasion mentioned by Benoit, Islam ended up being cleared of the charges by USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency). At the time, the fighter's defense claimed that the substance had been ingested outside the competition period, with emphasis on recovery from surgery.
“After a thorough review of the case, USADA concluded that the extremely low concentration of Meldonium found in the fighter's urine sample, combined with the athlete's explanation for its use, was consistent with his claim of having used the substance before it was officially banned on January 1, 2016. Based on the latest guidance provided by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) on June 30, 2016, for cases involving Meldonium, Makhachev will not be punished for his positive test,” they clarified in 2016.
Target of Saint-Denis' accusations, Makhachev leads the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings and has held the lightweight title since the end of 2022. As champion, the Russian has successfully defended his title twice, both times against Alexander Volkanovski.
Johnny Walker opens up about his heavyweight debut at UFC 332.
You need to log in to comment.