USADA announced today that Movlid Khaybulaev, of Khasavyurt, Russia, has accepted the maximum one-year sanction for a violation of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Anti-Doping Policy.
Khaybulaev, 35, tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) as the result of an in-competition sample collected at the PFL World Tournament Finals on August 1, 2025. rEPO is prohibited at all times in the class of Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances, and Mimetics under the PFL Anti-Doping Policy (ADP) and PFL Prohibited List.
Under Section 10.2 of the applicable version of the PFL ADP, the default period of ineligibility for the use of a prohibited substance is six months but can be increased up to a year in certain circumstances. Here, Khaybulaev received the maximum one-year period of ineligibility because of the nature of the substance and the timing of his positive test.
Khaybulaev’s one-year period of ineligibility began on August 1, 2025, the date his positive sample was collected.
USADA is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental agency whose sole mission is to champion athletes to achieve their dreams in a fair and healthy way and to inspire the world. In an effort to aid PFL athletes, as well as their support team members, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provided comprehensive instruction on the PFL Anti-Doping Program webpage regarding the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements, as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.
In addition, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, Global Drug Reference Online, conducts educational sessions, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials.
USADA makes available a number of ways to report the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sport in an effort to protect clean athletes and promote clean competition. Any tip can be reported using the USADA Play Clean Tip Center.
For more information or media inquiries, email media@usada.org.
