Khalid  “The Warrior” Taha (13-2 MMA, 1-1, 1 NC UFC)

Bantamweight (135lbs):  1-0, 1 NC (UFC),  Missed weight 1 time

Featherweight (145lbs): 0-1 (UFC),

The majority of Khalid Thaha’s fights outside of the UFC have been in the bantamweight division, though he has fought at as high as in the lightweight division in his professional career (though this was within his first couple fights in 2013). Khalid stands at 5’5″ and the 27-year-old has a reach of 69″.

Khalid lost his first fight in the UFC, which was a featherweight fight against Nad Narimani in July of 2018. On top of that, Khalid suffered a torn ACL a couple of months after the bout and when he made his sophomore appearance with the UFC in April of 2019 it was at bantamweight. Khalid’s move down to 135lbs paid off heavily as he weighed in at the 136lbs. limit and then finished his opponent, Boston Salmon, in just 25 seconds. In Taha’s most recent bout, he weighed in at 137lbs, missing weight. Khalid went on to finish his opponent, Bruno Silva in the third round by arm-triangle choke.

Unfortunately for Taha, the win would be turned into a no-contest after he was found by USADA to have failed an in-competition drug test, with Furosemide found in his system. Furosemide is diuretic that is used for curing congestive heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, and other like illnesses.

Diuretics are also well known for their temporary water weight loss effects. USADA handed down a one-year suspension to Taha and after serving the suspension, Taha will be competing on November 7 in the bantamweight division against Raoni Barcelos.