Ruslan Magomedov & Zubaira Tukhugov Accept Two Year Suspensions From USADA

Ruslan Magomedov and Zubaira Tukhugov both failed out of competition drug tests conducted by USADA on September 7 of 2016. Tukhugov would also fail a second USADA test issued on October 19 of 2016 and now both fighters have accepted two year suspensions from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

USADA decided to treat Tukhugov’s two drug test failures as a single violation since the second failed test took place after the first was already announced.

Both fighters would challenge their failed drug tests through an independent arbitrator, who has ruled in favor of USADA.

The following statement was issued by USADA on the matter:

“The athletes presented testimony and submitted evidence in an attempt to support their supplement contamination claims and request for a reduced period of ineligibility,” USADA’s statement read. “Nevertheless, after two days of testimony, USADA informed Magomedov and Tukhugov that it was still unwilling to consider a reduced sanction because it did not believe supplement contamination was a valid explanation for their positive tests. Thereafter, and before the conclusion of the hearing, USADA and the athletes reached an agreement to resolve the case, with Magomedov and Tukhugov each accepting a two-year period of ineligibility and agreeing to contribute a total of $10,000 toward the costs of the arbitration proceedings.”

Since the suspensions are retroactive to the date of the failure, both fighters are going to be able to return to action on September 7 of this year.