PFL featherweight World Tournament champ Movlid Khaybulaev has been hit with a one-year suspension by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
USADA, which handled drug testing and enforcement for the PFL until earlier this year, announced on Wednesday that Khaybulaev (24-0-1, 1NC) had tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) in a drug test collected at the PFL World Tournament Finals on August 1, 2025. The substance, which is generally injected into the bloodstream and can improve cardio, is banned at all times under the PFL’s Anti-Doping Policy.
While PFL fighters are generally subject to a six-month ban for a first offense, Khaybulaev’s suspension was increased to a full year due to “the nature of the substance and the timing of his positive test,” USADA officials noted.
His suspension is backdated to August 1, 2025, the date his positive sample was collected.
PFL officials issued a statement on Wednesday evening, announcing that Khaybulaev had been disqualified from the World Tournament as a result. He’ll also be forfeiting all associated bonuses and the championship belt itself.
“Pursuant to PFL rules and regulations, Khaybulaev has been disqualified from the 2025 PFL World Tournament. As a result of the disqualification under PFL rules, Khaybulaev forfeits the distinction of 2025 PFL featherweight tournament champion, the championship belt, and all associated bonus awards,” the league wrote, part of a longer statement issued on social media.
The PFL parted ways with USADA in October, with their drug testing program now being handled by The Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation. Any abnormal results from prior to the switchover would still fall under USADA, however.
Khaybulaev’s win over Jesus Pinedo on August 1, 2025 came under the purview of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission, who have yet to announce whether the win will be overturned.
