UFC 302 is almost upon us and if the hype was not real, it certainly is now, especially after the events of the press conference. In what was a very lively affair, Dustin Poirier and Islam Makhachev came face to face for the first time. However, hostilities aside, the entire ordeal was also eventful for Islam for another reason.
For those unaware, Islam Makhachev is all set to face #4 ranked lightweight contender Dustin Poirier in what will be his third defense of the lightweight strap. Seeing that he intends to etch his name as one of the best lightweight champions in history, a win against Poirier will certainly place him among some of the division’s greatest.
These two have quite the resumes 😮💨#UFC302 | B2YB @JoseCuervo pic.twitter.com/YQqFrtror0
— UFC (@ufc) May 30, 2024
As such, it will be a big moment for Islam and he will need to put on a dominant performance to absolve all doubts regarding his caliber. Not only that, a dominant win for him also potentially warrants a shot at the welterweight strap, currently held by Leon Edwards. Thus, with all eyes on him and a lot on the line, it is an important moment for Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev receives his jacket for 50 clean UFC drug tests
Ahead of the press conference on Thursday, Islam Makhachev already received a major honor during the UFC media day. Having completed 50 clean drug tests in the UFC, the Russian athlete was presented with a jacket for the same. Competing under the promotional banner since 2015, Islam has 15 fights under his belt.
Notably, it is a great honor for any athlete to be recognized by the promotion for this feat. Seeing that the sport is riddled with the occasional steroid-popping and others with complicated records, keeping the sport clean is a massive priority. As such, UFC senior vice president of anti-doping compliance Jeff Novitzky congratulated Islam for the same and at the same time explained his failed test in 2016:
Islam Makhachev receives his jacket for 50 clean UFC drug tests.
Jeff Novitzky explains why Makhachev’s 2016 test failure was NOT legit. pic.twitter.com/9N0NdIf25S
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) May 29, 2024
“In 2016, USADA, who ran our program, put it (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. 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.”
As a result of testing positive for Meldonium, USADA, the UFC’s former drug testing partners handed Islam Makhachev a three-month suspension. Looking back, Novitsky believes that the error was completely on the drug-testing authority’s part and was no fault of the fighter himself. That said, this is not the only controversy regarding Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev was once suspected of using I.V. drips
Previously, Islam Makhachev faced one of the biggest challenges in his career so far when he faced Alexander Volkanovski for the first time at UFC 284 in early 2023. Notably, the newly-crowned lightweight champ had made the trip to Perth, Australia for the showdown with the then- #1 P4P fighter and the undisputed featherweight champion. To date, it remains a highly debated and contested affair.
For the most part, the fight between Volkanovski and Makhachev was very close. Ultimately, it was the Russian athlete, who many felt was “underserving”, that came out victorious by way of a unanimous decision. However, the main controversy came afterward as Australian lightweight Dan Hooker alleged that Islam had received I.V. transfusions to rehydrate after a brutal weight cut.
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Seeing that it is illegal to use I.V., many were shocked by the claims, which were backed up with substantial evidence as well. Further incriminating tweets from his own manager Ali Abdelaziz seemingly landed Islam Makhachev in further hot water. That said, the allegations despite investigation by USADA, could not be proved but remained a massive talking point regarding the fighter.