Khaybulaev stripped of title after failed drug test

After failing a drug test, Movlid Khaybulaev was stripped of his PFL featherweight title and given a year-long suspension.

Recombinant erythropoietin, a form of the banned blood-boosting hormone EPO, was tested by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada).

When the sample was taken on August 1st, his one-year suspension, which is the maximum sanction, was backdated.

On that date, Khaybulaev, 35, defeated Jesus Pinedo to reach the PFL featherweight title a second time.

Khaybulaev forfeits the title of 2025 PFL Featherweight Tournament Champion, the championship belt, and all other honorable mentions, according to the PFL.

The PFL adheres to the highest standards of fair competition, athlete safety, and integrity in sport and still adheres to a zero-tolerance policy toward the use of performance-enhancing substances.

In the semi-finals of the 2021 PFL championship match, Khaybulaev defeated Briton Brendan Loughnane by unanimous decision to earn a $1 million (£750, 000) fight in the final.

“I literally lost millions of dollars fighting this.” A known cheater was left with a split decision. Loughnane posted a wild sport on X on Monday.

Recombinant erythropoietin, a synthetic hormone that increases red blood cell production and increases muscle oxygen delivery, increases endurance.