Featherweight Khusein Askhabov, who has fought just once in the UFC to date, is the latest athlete hit with a suspension following a violation of the promotion’s Anti-Doping Policy.
Askhabov (23-1), who suffered the first defeat of his career against Jamall Emmers in February of 2023, has been handed a two-year ban by Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) after testing positive for Methandienone (aka Dianabol or D-Bol) metabolites following a drug test administered on February 6, 2024.
CSAD has replaced USADA in overseeing the UFC’s anti-doping program, with sample collection carried out by Drug Free Sport.
D-Bol, as it is commonly known, is an anabolic steroid banned at all times from competition.
Askhabov’s suspension is dated to February 8, 2024, the date he was notified of his positive test. He did not have a fight booked.
The Russian, who started his career a perfect 23-0, has had three fights fall through since the Emmers loss. The includes an October bout that saw him yanked from a fight with Daniel Pineda after Askhabov was arrested for armed robbery in Thailand. The fighter was later released, and charges against him and his brother dropped.
Coupled with this latest development, however, Khusein Askhabov is likely on thin ice with the promotion. And he will not be eligible to fight again until 2026, which combined with his current layoff will make three years on the sidelines.
