Movlid Khaybulaev Hit With One Year Suspension, Loses PFL World Tournament Championship

"USADA, which handled drug testing and enforcement for the PFL until earlier this year, announced on Wednesday that Khaybulaev (24-0-1, 1NC) had tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) in a drug test collected at the PFL World Tournament Finals on August 1, 2025. The substance, which is generally injected into the bloodstream and can improve cardio, is banned at all times under the PFL's Anti-Doping Policy."

"He'll also be forfeiting all associated bonuses and the championship belt itself. "Pursuant to PFL rules and regulations, Khaybulaev has been disqualified from the 2025 PFL World Tournament. As a result of the disqualification under PFL rules, Khaybulaev forfeits the distinction of 2025 PFL featherweight tournament champion, the championship belt, and all associated bonus awards," the league wrote, part of a longer statement issued on social media."

"The substance, which is generally injected into the bloodstream and can improve cardio, is banned at all times under the PFL's Anti-Doping Policy. While PFL fighters are generally subject to a six-month ban for a first offense, Khaybulaev's suspension was increased to a full year due to "the nature of the substance and the timing of his positive test," USADA officials noted. His suspension is backdated to August 1, 2025, the date his positive sample was collected."

Movlid Khaybulaev tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) from a sample collected at the PFL World Tournament Finals on August 1, 2025, and received a one-year suspension from USADA. The suspension was increased from the typical six-month first-offense penalty because of the nature of the substance and the timing of the positive test, and it is backdated to the sample collection date. PFL disqualified Khaybulaev from the 2025 World Tournament and announced forfeiture of the featherweight championship, belt, and all associated bonuses. The PFL moved its testing program to The Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation in October, but results from before the switchover remain under USADA jurisdiction. The New Jersey State Athletic Commission has not announced whether the August 1 fight result will be overturned.

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