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Title: Undefeated and Ranked UFC Contender Suspended for Doping Violation
UFC contender Azamat Murzakanov has been suspended by the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) for six months due to a doping violation. The 35-year-old light heavyweight fighter, who was previously ranked No. 12 in his division, accepted the 180-day sanction.
According to reports, Murzakanov tested positive for a metabolite of LGD-4033, a prohibited substance found on the UFC’s Prohibited List. This is not his first offense, as he had previously served a suspension from the UFC Anti-Doping Policy (UFC ADP) in 2019.
The investigation revealed that Murzakanov used a dietary supplement that contained low levels of LGD-4033, despite it not being listed on the label’s ingredients. The sample collected on October 8, 2024, showed a small presence of the substance, and a follow-up sample taken on October 31, 2024, was negative.
The CSAD decided to double Murzakanov’s punishment due to his previous offense, resulting in a six-month suspension. His suspension began on November 1, when he was notified of the adverse finding in his final sample, and will end on May 1, 2025.
Murzakanov had been riding high with four consecutive wins within the UFC, including victories over notable opponents such as Matheus Scheffel, Tafon Nchukwi, Devin Clark, and most recently, Alonzo Menifield Jr. He had earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his second-round knockout of Menifield.
However, this latest setback will undoubtedly put pressure on Murzakanov to refocus and rebuild his career. His recent withdrawal from two fights due to contracting pneumonia and then withdrawing from another bout due to illness further raises questions about his reliability as a contender.
Source: www.forbes.com
