Islam Makhachev once tested positive for meldonium and earned a suspension from the UFC. But soon after, the UFC champion’s name was cleared by USADA, after Makhachev submitted some documents that stated that he used meldonium two years before the test due to a medical procedure. Despite the grave error, the fighter went on to submit his samples for anti-doping tests and came out clean on all the tests. Now, Makhachev has completed 50 clean tests and was honored for the feat, days before UFC 302.

The UFC’s senior vice president of anti-doping compliance, Jeff Novitzky, stepped forward and honored the UFC lightweight champion with a jacket. He further cleared the reigning lightweight champion’s name for a previous mistake made by the MMA promotion. But now, after attaining the jacket, Makhachev took to Instagram to thank the UFC figure and reveal the details of the controversial ordeal.

Islam Makhachev “thanks Jeff Novitski” and laments wrong accusations via social media post

Right after receiving the jacket from Novitzky, Islam Makhachev took to Instagram and shared a couple of pictures. The visuals showed the mixed martial artist together with the senior vice president of anti-doping compliance. The lightweight star was wearing the awarded jacket and proudly shook hands with Novitzky. 

While awarding the fighter, Novitzky declared that Makhachev never made a mistake and always came out clean through the anti-doping tests. Pairing his clean record with his fighting prowess, Novitzky seemed greatly impressed by the champ. Needless to say, he also cleared the air around Makhachev’s previous suspension due to a failed drug test.

The fighter then went on to caption the images. That was when he decided to reveal the truth. He revealed what went through his mind in 2016 when the scandal came to light. But he declared that the world of mixed martial arts must be clean. He wrote, “Got my 50 Clean Tests jacket. Honored to be a good example and representative of clean sport. Also special thanks to Jeff Novitski for his speech and clarification of 2016 incident, where I was wrongfully accused of using PED’s, without proper investigating. Once again, our sport can be clean, our sport MUST be clean!”

Even though the 32-year-old received the award for coming out clean in 50 drug tests, the netizens have not forgotten the suspension in 2016. It was indeed an incident that could have left a permanent mark on a glittering career so far.

USADA and UFC clears Makhachev of any wrongdoing and praises his character

Islam Makhachev was all set to fight Drew Dober in his third fight in the UFC when he failed the drug test. Without a doubt, the PED violation led to the cancellation of his fight with Dober. It was because of trace amounts of meldonium in Makhachev’s urine sample. Surprisingly, the substance cemented itself amongst banned substances just three months before Makhachev underwent a test. Following the submission of supporting documents, the Dagestani fighter claimed that he underwent a medical procedure for which meldonium was prescribed as treatment. It is actually a fatty acid oxidation inhibitor that alters the carnitine pathway and in turn, helps in the manipulation of fat metabolism. 

But later, USADA confirmed that Makhachev was clean. Novitzky’s words highlighted his reverence for the Dagestani fighter while addressing the media. He said, “Islam[Makhachev] has never made a mistake. He’s always been a clean athlete and to pair that with the dominance in this sport is really special. You don’t see this in any other sport where you bring up somebody who’s been as dominant as him and also provide a body of evidence to show that he’s done it the right way with what he’s born with and a lot of hard work. So, Islam, congratulations. We’re very proud of you and proud to give you a 50-time jacket.” 

Now that his name has been cleared, the lightweight king is all set to defend his title against Dustin Poirier and enhance his storied legacy so far. What do you think of the lightweight king’s record of 50 clean drug tests? Let us know in the comments down below.