The targeted headliner for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s debut event in Russia may not come to fruition, as Fabricio Werdum has been flagged for a potential anti-doping violation.
The former UFC heavyweight champion failed a drug test stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on April 25. USADA will handle results management and adjudication of the case involving Werdum, who is entitled to a full review process before any sanctions are imposed.
Werdum was reportedly set to face Alexey Oleynik at UFC Fight Night in Moscow, Russia, on Sept. 15, though the bout had not been formally announced by the Las Vegas-based promotion. The status of that fight depends on how the Brazilian’s USADA case is resolved.
Werdum last appeared at UFC Fight Night 127, where he suffered a fourth-round knockout loss to Alexander Volkov in the card’s main event on March 17. Prior to that defeat, the 40-year-old “Vai Cavalo” had posted back-to-back triumphs over Marcin Tybura and Walt Harris.