CLEARWATER, FL - APRIL 15: Islam Makhachev of Russia steps on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at Ruth Eckerd Hall on April 15, 2016 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
UFC two-fight veteran Islam Makhachev has been pulled from his bout against Drew Dober after he was flagged for a potential Anti-Doping Policy Violation involving a banned substance.
Makhachev missed weight by 1.5 pounds at Friday's UFC Fight Night weigh-in but was able to cut the extra half during the allowed extra hour. However, shortly after he made weight, the news of Makhachev's failed test came down and the Russian was removed from the card.
The UFC released this statement Friday afternoon:
"The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed Islam Makhachev of a potential Anti-Doping Policy Violation involving Meldonium, a prohibited substance, stemming from a recent out-of-competition sample collection. In accordance with the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, Makhachev has received a provisional suspension, and has been removed from his scheduled bout against Drew Dober from Saturday's card in Tampa, Florida.
"The UFC Anti-Doping Program follows the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List of Substances, which is updated yearly. Meldonium was recently added to the WADA Prohibited List, which went into effect on January 1, 2016. WADA recently announced that they are currently conducting further studies of the substance which may influence how cases involving Meldonium are evaluated. In order to ensure Makhachev receives full and fair due process, USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will consider all relevant information before making any determinations.
Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward."
According to the original report from MMAFighting's Ariel Helwania Dober will still receive his show money.
Makhachev's removal comes just one day after former champion Lyoto Machida was taken off the card after he admitted to using a banned substance.
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.