UFC rookie flunks USADA drug test

I suppose it’s good to get these things out of the way nice and early.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) rookie Azamat Murzakanov (7-0) was flagged for a potential United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) violation on Monday after the Russian import flunked an out-of-competition sample collected earlier this month.

The promotion’s official statement:

The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Azamat Murzakanov of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on September 2, 2017.

USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Murzakanov. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.

Murzakanov’s nickname is “The Professional,” which I find unintentionally hilarious.

The undefeated lightweight was expected to make his Octagon debut against Joachim Christensen at the UFC Fight Night 112 mixed martial arts (MMA) event back in June, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.

A timeline for his return, as well as a potential sentence from USADA, has yet to be determined.