Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight Khusein
Askhabov has been suspended for two years due to anti-doping
violations.
Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD), which took over the UFC’s drug
testing program from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)
in January, announced on Monday that Askhabov has been suspended
for 24 months due to a failed drug test. Askhabov tested positive
for metabolites of the anabolic steroid Methandienone (aka Dianabol
or D-Bol) in an out-of-competition sample collected in Grozny,
Chechen Republic on Feb. 6. Askhabov’s suspension became effective
on Feb. 28, the day he was notified of a provisional suspension to
the adverse findings.
“Lion” returned to competition after a three-year hiatus for his
UFC debut in February 2023 against Jamall
Emmers, where he suffered the lone professional loss of his
career via unanimous decision. While Askhabov was scheduled to
fight Daniel
Pineda in October, the fight fell through after he was
arrested in Thailand along with his brother Khasan in
connection with a home invasion. Askhabov was later cleared of those charges.