What do you think is most important in a fighter? It’s their discipline to stay as clean as possible as the drug testing agencies may come around anytime to test you for any unnecessary substance in your diet. Well, many fighters were flagged for taking the substance and one such fighter was the current lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev. The Dagestani was flagged for taking Meldonium back in 2016. It caused a huge uproar in his community as Dagestani fighters are known for their discipline but seems like the fighter has come clean after 8 years.

The UFC’s senior vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitsky has come forward to state that the decision to flag Makhachev for taking Meldonium back in 2016 was a serious mistake by the promotion. Why did Novitsky say this? Let us find out.

Jeff Novitsky clears Islam Makhachev for Meldonium incident

Islam Makhachev is about to fight Dustin Poirier this weekend on UFC 302 to defend his lightweight belt. This would be Makhachev’s third title defense after clinching the belt by defeating Charles Oliveira back in UFC 280. Well, ahead of his anticipated clash against the uncrowned prince of the lightweight division, Jeff Novitsky has come forward to clear Makhachev for the failed drug test back in 2016 while throwing USADA under the bus.

In a media brief, Novitsky stated that it was a colossal mistake on their part to flag Makhachev for the mistake which was theirs. “In 2016, USADA, who ran our program, put [Meldonium] on our prohibited list. Before that, you were allowed to use it. He had a medical procedure back in 2014. He submitted documents that he used it under that. Ultimately, he was cleared by USADA,” said Novitsky.

He further added, “But in my opinion, one of the greatest colossal mistakes in anti-doping. It affected not only Islam but several other UFC athletes and hundreds of other amateur Olympic athletes.That’s something that just cannot happen. That’s something you can carry forward with you and your reputation forever. I’m here today to say that Islam absolutely did nothing wrong. This mistake was on the ant-doping authority, not him. It’s very important to note that.”

I͏slam Makhachev has to live with the fact that he was wrongly accused of taking drugs. However, the recent statement ͏by Novitsky will help clear his name. Makhachev is ready to take on Poirier, but interestingly,͏ his former opponent Charles Oliveira has also entered the picture.͏ Let’s find out why.

Makhachev asked Charles Oliveira to train with him

A thing that has been missing from the UFC these days is the mutual respect shared by fighters after their bout. Most of the fighters hold grudges after losing or winning but that is not the case for Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira. The former opponents fought against each other back in UFC 280 in which Makhachev submitted ‘Do Bronx’ but it never hampered their relationship.

Interestingly, Charles Oliveria might be preparing himself to fight against former welterweight contender, Colby Covington as the ‘Chaos’ has called out ‘Do Bronx’ to have a clash with him. Even the Brazilian seems to be agreeing with the fact that he should face ‘Chaos’. Amid this hubbub, Makhachev seems to have invited Oliveira to train with him in Dagestan.

“Charles is a good guy. If I can help him, he can join us in our camp in Dagestan. He has very good striking, so we can help him with wrestling.” said Makhachev while speaking to the media. Well, will Oliveira go to Team Khabib for training? We have no idea but what’s your take on the situation? State your thoughts in the comments below.