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Usman Nurmagomedov of Russia poses with his Bellator Mixed Martial Arts lightweight champion belt after beating Brent Primus of the U.S. in Bellator 300 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California, October 7, 2023. /CFP
Bellator Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov of Russia has been suspended for six months and fined $50,000 after testing positive for a prohibited substance, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) executive officer Andy Foster confirmed with ESPN on Saturday.
Ali Abdelaziz, Nurmagomedov's manager, revealed that his client used a prescription medication that contained a prohibited substance in California, and his client didn't know it. The state uses the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code for its list of banned drugs.
"Usman was prescribed medication for an illness he had. It's NOT an anabolic steroid, EPO, HGH, etc. Nothing enhancing," Abdelaziz said in a statement to ESPN. "He will rematch Primus and get back in the tournament."
On October 7, Nurmagomedov beat Brent Primus of the U.S. by unanimous decision in Bellator 300 to retain his lightweight championship at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California. According to Abdelaziz, his client won't be stripped of his belt, but the win over Primus has been overturned to a no contest.
Usman Nurmagomedov of Russia kicks Manny Muro of the U.S. during Bellator 263 at the Forum in Inglewood, California, July 31, 2021. /CFP
"I was just informed by Andy Foster [CSAC executive officer] that my last opponent for Bellator 300, Usman Nurmagomedov, failed his drugs test for a banned substance so our fight is now a no-contest," Primus said. "It sucks but I really want to thank the California Athletic Commission and Bellator for testing us all and catching those cheaters, I really appreciate it."
One of the conditions of Nurmagomedov's settlement agreement with the CSAC is that he enrolls with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA), according to Foster.
Nurmagomedov, 25, was 6-0 before fighting Primus in October. He has been considered one of the best young fighters in the world. He would have faced the winner between Patricky "Pitbull" Freire of Brazil and Alexander Shabliy of Russia in the $1 million grand prix final in the future. It's unclear who will replace Nurmagomedov in the tournament.