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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Nolan King

Jeff Novtizky attributes Islam Makhachev’s 2016 failed drug test to ‘one of the greatest, colossal mistakes in anti-doping’

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Islam Makhachev’s 2016 positive drug test was a failure, but more so by the system than the athlete. That’s according to UFC senior vice president of anti-doping compliance Jeff Novitzky.

During Wednesday’s UFC 302 media day, Novitzky presented Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) with a 50-time perfect test jacket. Before doing so, however, he explained why Makhachev’s drug test failure eight years ago ahead of a scheduled fight vs. Drew Dober should not be held against the UFC lightweight champion.

“Islam did have an issue back in 2016. I actually talked with him and his team last week and I said, ‘I think we need to bring this up.’ And they agreed.”

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