Bellator lightweight champion Usman
Nurmagomedov has been suspended six months by the California
State Athletic Commission after testing positive for a banned
substance in relation to his Bellator 300 bout against Brent
Primus.
As a result, Nurmagomedov’s victory over Primus has been overturned
to a no contest and he has been fined $50,000 in addition to his
six-month sanction. He was also pulled from Bellator’s lightweight
grand prix. Multiple outlets confirmed the news following an
initial report
from Ariel Helwani. According to
ESPN, Nurmagomedov will not be stripped of his 155-pound
title.
Nurmagomedov’s positive test reportedly came from a prescription
medication, which resulted in a reduced suspension. CSAC executive
officer Andy Foster declined to reveal the substance, while
confirming that Nurmagomedov will enroll in Voluntary Anti-Doping
Agency program as a condition of his settlement.
Nurmagomedov defeat Primus via unanimous decision at Bellator 300,
earning a trio of 50-45 scorecards. Prior the positive test, that
victory set the Dagestani up to face the winner of the clash
between Patricky
Freire and Alexandr
Shabliy in the other 155-pound semifinal. It is currently
unclear who will replace Nurmagomedov in the bracket. The
25-year-old American Kickboxing Academy product began his
professional MMA tenure with 17 consecutive triumphs — including
six under the Bellator banner — before facing Primus.