“Russia is notorious for drugging athletes” – Fans trash Islam Makhachev testing positive for banned drug in 2016
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Islam Makhachev
With the much-anticipated lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira coming soon, fans have been split with their favorites and have been going at each other for a long time. Recently, fans have slammed Islam for having been banned by the Athletic Commission for consuming an illegal substance back in 2016.
After a fan dug up an old report of the fighter being banned, fans are left in splits arguing whether the substance he was banned for was actually illegal or performance-enhancing. Back in 2016, Islam Makhachev was scheduled to fight lightweight fighter Drew Dober at UFC on Fox 19. The Dagestani then was forced to pull out of the fight due to a positive report on his drug test.
The rising lightweight talent back then tested positive for the banned drug substance meldonium. This substance was popular among Russian athletes who competed in sports. Several Olympic athletes were banned after being tested for meldonium and even great Tennis player Maria Sharapova was a victim of this ban. Fans started to draw comparisons between Islam and several other combat sports athlete who have previously been banned for testing positive and have caught a lot of flak for their consumption.
Though Islam Makhachev was banned for a short time, the USADA quickly lifted this ban after a hearing in the same year. Many fans demanded the same treatment greats like Jon Jones received for their past with illegal substances. While some fans defended the Dagestani claiming he was advised by an actual doctor who prescribed Meldonium for the fighter’s heart problem. This clearly isn’t the same as someone consuming drugs for the sake of performance enhancement.
Remember when islam popped. No one talks about it so here you go pic.twitter.com/iuTNYuPvU2
— Sicky does MMA (@MMARR0N) August 25, 2022
Twitter explodes as Islam Makhachev’s past report surfaces
Islam Makhachev is currently on an amazing 10-fight winning streak and will be facing the people’s champ, Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. The fight will take place in Abu Dhabi which is considered to be Islam’s territory where he will be accompanied by superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner. There is no doubt that the fans will get into an absolute war of words ahead of this fight.
This news of Makhachev’s failed drug test is absolute gold for haters online who have been slandering Islam Makhachev for getting an undeserved title shot. A fan pointed out that the substance Islam tested positive for was the same drug that got Maria Sharapova, a Russian tennis talent, banned from the sport for two years. According to fans, Meldonium should be banned in combat sports because it improves one’s recovery and work rate which is an added advantage to a fighter. Check out some of the fans’ reactions to this news.
Also read: The reality behind Kamaru Usman’s controversial STEROID USE accusations
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