Ruslan Magomedov handed lifetime suspension from USADA

Russia’s ‘Leopard,’ Ruslan Magomedov was once considered by many to be the heavyweight division’s best prospect. His incredible speed for one of the big men of the sport was truly a sight to behold as evidenced by his nickname. Unfortunately, he was nothing more than a product of banned substances.

On Monday, USADA announced that the 14-1 Magomedov has now been suspended permanently after three violations. Their statement on the sanction can be read in its entirety below.

“USADA announced today that Ruslan Magomedov, of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, has received a lifetime sanction after his second and third violations of the UFC® Anti-Doping Policy.

“Magomedov, 32, received a second violation after he tested positive for methyltestosterone metabolite 17α-methyl-5β-androstan-3α, 17β-diol, as well as stanozolol metabolites 3’-hydroxystanozolol-O-glucuronide, 16β-hydroxystanozolol-O-glucuronide, and stanozolol-N-glucuronide, as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample he provided on October 10, 2018. Methyltestosterone and stanozolol are non-Specified Substances in the class of Anabolic Agents and prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

“The athlete’s third violation resulted from his refusal to complete the sample collection process as requested by a doping control officer during an out-of-competition test on February 5, 2019. Refusing or failing to submit to sample collection, without compelling justification, is a doping violation under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.

“Magomedov’s lifetime period of ineligibility began on November 5, 2018, the date his provisional suspension was imposed.”

Magomedov’s first USADA violation was revealed on September 26, 2016, as he was suspended for an out-of-competition sample from September 7, 2016. The violation would earn the Russian a two-year suspension for his usage of the banned substance, ostarine.

Magomedov, the younger brother of current PFL lightweight, Rashid, only fought for the UFC three times. All of which he would win by unanimous decision. His last fight came against Shawn Jordan at UFC 192 in October 2015.

Since then, Magomedov has been scheduled for fights with Gabriel Gonzaga, Stefan Struve, and most recently, Marcos Rogerio De Lima at UFC 230 in November 2018. The first two of those three bouts didn’t come to fruition due to injuries suffered by Magomedov with the last being canceled because of visa issues.

In the end, it all wouldn’t have mattered anyway as Magomedov would still go on to test positive.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 4/1/2019