Usman Nurmagomedov, the cousin of UFC legend Khabib, has been handed a six-month suspension by the California State Athletic Commission for failing a drug test. The test, conducted after his fight against Brent Primus at Bellator 300, also resulted in a hefty $50,000 fine for Nurmagomedov. The bout has now been declared a no contest.
The repercussions of this suspension on Nurmagomedov’s status as the Bellator lightweight champion and his participation in the lightweight Grand Prix remain uncertain. According to reports, CSAC executive officer Andy Foster disclosed that Nurmagomedov had a prescription for the banned substance but neglected to apply for a therapeutic use exemption (TUE).
The specific banned substance has not been disclosed by the commission. Nurmagomedov, however, has taken the step to enroll in testing with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
In his most recent fight, Nurmagomedov defeated Primus via a unanimous decision to defend his Bellator lightweight title. The 25-year-old Dagestan-born fighter boasts an impressive professional record of 18 wins, with eight of those victories achieved through knockouts or technical knockouts.
Nurmagomedov hails from the renowned Nurmagomedov fighting family, which also includes the retired UFC icon, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib, who retired in March 2021, amassed an undefeated record of 29 wins in his professional career, most notably defeating Conor McGregor in a highly-publicized bout in October 2018.
