Usman Nurmagomedov has finally opened up about the failed drug test that’s kept him out of commission since October.
Nurmagomedov, the reigning Bellator lightweight champion, had his title defense win over Brent Primus at Bellator 300 overturned to a no contest by the California State Athletic Commission due to a failed drug test in October. Nurmagomedov was also handed a six-month suspension, as well as a $50,000 fine.
The details of the situation, however, have remained scarce. It is unknown exactly what substance Nurmagomedov tested positive for, but according to a settlement agreement signed by CSAC executive officer Andy Foster and Nurmagomedov, the champ “provided evidence that the prohibited substance was prescribed to him by a physician and maintains that the prohibited substance was prescribed for therapeutic use.”
With the terms of his settlement now fulfilled, Nurmagomedov (17-0) is set to return in the Bellator Champions Series: San Diego headliner on Sept. 7 against Alexandr Shabliy (24-3). He spoke to MMA Junkie about the ordeal, and maintained his innocence against any speculation his case involved performance-enhancing drugs.
“We have a deal with California Commission, and I cannot tell to media or someone, but it was medication,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie when asked about the banned substance. “If it were a steroid, they have to say, ‘This was a steroid.’ And they have to give me more time for suspension. They have to give me like one year, two year, and we have example from other guys. It was medication, and this was like nothing. Everything is good now.”
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Nurmagomedov, who is the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov and brother of unbeaten UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov, said he is not concerned about the naysayers who will question his accomplishments due to a drug test failure on his resume.
The 26-year-old said he’s at peace and knows he didn’t do anything wrong, and thinks any arguments to the contrary are merely any attempt to find flaw in the near-perfect history behind his family name.
“I don’t care (about the critics), I’m good,” Nurmagomedov said. “I didn’t do nothing. I know who I am. I never did something like steroids or something like that. People only talk about this because they cannot win (against) us, and they have to say something, and they chose this way, ‘Oh, this guy do steroids.’ OK, guys. You can talk whatever you want, but who cares?”
