How Many Dagestani Fighters From Khabib’s Camp Have Failed Drug Tests So Far?

The fighters from Dagestan have made quite a name for themselves as one of the most hardworking and skilled fighters in the world. Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team are a group of fighters who put Dagestan on the map. The fighters from Dagestan are well respected in the MMA community and for good reason. However, Nurmagomedov’s teammates have a history of being caught using some prohibited substances.

It does seem quite out of character for Nurmagomedov’s teammates to have such controversies surrounding them. But, sadly, it hasn’t been an uncommon case for the team. They have had more than one fighter who had tested positive for banned substances.

The teammates of Khabib Nurmagomedov who tested positive for banned substances

To date, there have been four such cases from the Khabib camp, including the recent failed test by Usman Nurmagomedov from Bellator. The list also includes the current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. But fortunately, USADA cleared Makhachev in his case, as the drug was allowed before 2016.

Whereas, the other two, Ruslan Magomedov and Zubaira Tukhugov, weren’t as lucky. UFC heavyweight Ruslan Magomedov and UFC featherweight Zubaira Tukhugov were both handed two-year suspensions dated to tests conducted in 2016. The tests showed that the duo had ostarine in their systems. The two denied the claims, blaming it on tainted supplements, but USADA continued with the suspension regardless.

In Usman Nurmagomedov’s case, the lightweight has gotten a 6-month suspension with a 50,000 dollar fine. However, his manager, Ali Abdelaziz claims that his fighter was prescribed medicine for an illness which resulted in the positive test. What Abdelaziz claims might be true. But what are the implications of this for team Nurmagomedov?

Odds of a team having 4 fighters fail drug tests

It is no secret that Nurmagomedov’s team consists of quite a lot of fighters. But from a realistic point of view, the stats go against them. It could be that the fighters who failed the drug test were innocent. But having 3 fighters, not including Islam Makhachev, fail drug tests under a span of 10 years, is not a good look for the team.

Usman Nurmagomedov was supposed to fight in the Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix before failing the drug test and is currently the Bellator Lightweight champion. They have removed him from the tournament, but they will still allow him to hold on to the belt.

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It is quite surprising to see fighters from Nurmagomedov’s team fail drug tests, especially in such a large number. What do you think is the issue here? Are the fighters just unlucky with supplements and meds? Let us know in the comments.

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