PFL strips Movlid Khaybulaev of featherweight title after failed drug test

Movlid Khaybulaev has been stripped of his Professional Fighters League (PFL) featherweight title and handed a one-year suspension following a failed drugs test, Sport360NG reports.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) confirmed that the 35-year-old Russian fighter tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin, a banned blood-boosting hormone commonly known as EPO. The suspension, which is the maximum allowed, is retroactive to the date the sample was collected on 1 August.

Khaybulaev had defeated Jesus Pinedo on that date to claim the PFL featherweight title for a second time. As a result of the failed test, the PFL has disqualified him from the 2025 tournament and revoked his championship, along with any associated prize money.

“Khaybulaev forfeits the distinction of 2025 PFL Featherweight Tournament Champion, the championship belt, and all associated bonus awards,” the league said in a statement. “The PFL maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward the use of performance-enhancing substances and remains fully committed to the highest standards of fair competition, athlete safety, and integrity in sport.”

Khaybulaev first won the PFL featherweight crown in 2021, defeating Briton Brendan Loughnane via split decision in the semi-finals before advancing to the tournament final with a chance to win $1 million (£750,000). Loughnane reacted on X, writing: “This fight literally cost me millions of dollars. Lost a split decision to a known cheater. Sport is wild.”

Recombinant erythropoietin is a synthetic hormone that boosts red blood cell production, enhancing endurance by increasing oxygen delivery to muscles. Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw also tested positive for the substance in 2019 and received a two-year suspension.