Why Was Michal Oleksiejczuk Suspended by USADA?

Following his defeat at the hands of Michel Pereira at UFC 299, Michał Oleksiejczuk is set to make a return at UFC 302 against Kevin Holland and try to turn his one-fight losing streak into a winning streak. The Polish mixed martial artist has earned two Performance of the Night bonuses in four of his last bouts. 

Needless to say, Oleksiejczuk’s records and fighting prowess have greatly impressed the fight fans. However, even the Polish fighter has a blotch on his resume. Despite the impressive accolades, ‘Hussar’ was once suspended for the use of a banned substance.

Michal Oleksiejczuk once tested positive for banned substance 

Back in 2017, Oleksiejczuk tested positive for clomiphene in a non-competition urine test conducted at UFC 219. Without a doubt, the mixed martial artist was suspended and his bout against the dangerous light heavyweight, Khalil Rountree Jr., was overturned. The Polish fighter was suspended for one year following the public disclosure of the doping test results.

Clomiphene citrate, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, has performance-enhancing capabilities. It has the tendency to alter testosterone levels by interfering with the negative feedback loop of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in men. Needless to say, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has banned this FDA-approved fertility medication from being used by athletes, since it comes under the S4 Category of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators, given its anti-estrogenic properties.  

Oleksiejczuk, thus, had to stay out of the Octagon starting from 30th December 2017, for one whole year. On top of that, the Nevada State Athletic Commission also ensured that Oleksiejczuk’s fight with Rountree was overturned and declared a no-contest. Surprisingly, the Polish mixed martial artist is not the only one who tested positive for clomiphene. Even Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar once tested positive for clomiphene.

Within a month of the expiration of his suspension, ‘Hussar’ returned to the MMA promotion. Let’s take a look at his and his next opponent’s MMA resume.

The records of the contenders: ‘Hussar’ and ‘Trailblazer’

Michal Oleksiejczuk currently boasts a record of 19 wins and 7 losses, with 1 single no-contest owing to the reason mentioned above. The last battle he fought was against Michel Pereira. Unfortunately for ‘Hussar’, it ended in his defeat. The Brazilian fighter took hold of his back and submitted Oleksiejczuk with a rear naked choke within the first round. But his previous fight was an impressive victory as he defeated Chidi Njokuani with a KO via punches. Despite his performance inside the Octagon, the fighter doesn’t have a streak longer than two consecutive wins. His record has more wins than losses but it doesn’t come with a long winning streak.

On the other hand, Kevin Holland will be looking up to turn his 2-fight losing streak into a winning streak. His last fight against Michael Page at UFC 299 resulted in a loss via unanimous decision, marking his records at 25 wins and 11 losses. The bout he fought before fighting Page was a disappointing loss, as well. Though the fighter has been witnessing a slump in his form, he was once crusading through a 5-fight win streak, back in 2020. The entire world of mixed martial arts would stay on the edge of their seats as the two would clash against each other at UFC 302 in the middleweight division. 

What are your predictions regarding the bout? Who do you think would win in the fight between Oleksiejczuk and Holland? Let us know in the comments section below.