UFC releases statement on Ali Bagautinov’s drug test failure
Not only did UFC 174 do paltry pay-per-view sales, but one of it’s headliners failed his post fight drug test as well. Flyweight contender, Ali Bagautinov, who challenged Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title back in June, failed his post fight drug test by testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO).
The UFC and ZUFFA recently released a statement on Bagautinov’s failed test (Courtesy of MMAFighting):
"UFC 174 competitor Ali Bagautinov has been suspended by the British Columbia Athletic Commission for testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO). He was also informed that his positive test violated the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC. The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance-enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by our athletes. Bagautinov will serve a one-year suspension and must pass a drug test at the conclusion of his suspension before receiving clearance to compete in the UFC again."
Bagautinov will now be out of commission for 12 months as the rest of the flyweight division moves past him.
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Of course, the larger issue is that Bagautinov is yet another UFC fighter to test positive for PED’s in the last few months. The amount of failed tests we have seen lately, even while the UFC and doping agencies attempt to clean up the sport, is simply unacceptable.
When Georges St-Pierre left the UFC, one of his main reasons was due to the negligence of the sport when it comes to drug testing. It is time for the UFC and the commissions to put their foot down and erase PED’s from the sport entirely.