Islam Makhachev’s team is denying Dan Hooker’s claim that the UFC lightweight champion used an IV to rehydrate after weighing in for his UFC 284 main event with Alexander Volkanovski.
In the aftermath of Makhachev’s (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) unanimous decision win over Volkanovski (25-2 MMA, 12-1 UFC) in Saturday’s champion-vs.-champion showdown at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, City Kickboxing fighter and Volkanovski teammate Hooker made a hefty accusation toward “cheating dog” Makhachev.
Hooker accused Makhachev of using intravenous (IV) therapy to replenish after weigh-ins, which is an illegal practice under the rules put forth by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the UFC’s longtime drug testing partner.
USADA bans IV infusions and/or injections, making an exception only for those who received an IV “in the course of hospital admissions, surgical procedures or clinical investigations.”
Makhachev’s co-manager, Rizvan Magomedov, issued a response to MMA Junkie and denied any wrongdoing by hte fighter.
“We all know this is completely BS,” Magomedov said. “The guy is a loser. He’s salty and just looking for attention, and that’s it.”
Hooker (22-12 MMA, 12-8 UFC), who was cageside in Perth to support his teammate’s push for a simultaneous two-division title reign, has a history of his own with Makhachev.
Makhachev beat Hooker by first-round submission at UFC 267 in October 2021.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 284.
