PFL Featherweight Champ Khaybulaev Suspended for One Year

URGENT UPDATE: The 2025 PFL featherweight champion, Movlid Khaybulaev, has been suspended for one year following a positive test for a banned substance. The Professional Fighters League (PFL) announced this shocking news on Wednesday, confirming that Khaybulaev’s in-competition sample returned positive for recombinant erythropoietin on August 1, the very day he triumphed over Jesus Pinedo at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

This significant development means that Khaybulaev has been disqualified from the 2025 PFL World Tournament and will forfeit his championship title, belt, and all associated awards. The PFL’s statement emphasized that the suspension is retroactive to the date of his positive test, raising serious implications for Khaybulaev’s career and reputation in the sport.

The PFL has recently transitioned its doping oversight from USADA to the Mohegan Sun Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation, which now administers the drug testing program. This change follows the conclusion of the PFL’s partnership with USADA, making Khaybulaev’s positive test particularly notable as it occurred during the final days of that relationship.

In a statement from the PFL, officials highlighted,

“Pursuant to PFL rules and regulations, Khaybulaev has been disqualified from the 2025 PFL World Tournament.”

This ruling sends a strong message regarding the seriousness of doping violations in mixed martial arts.

With the sport’s integrity at stake, this incident is bound to spark discussions within the MMA community and beyond. Fans and fellow fighters alike are reacting with shock and concern over the implications of performance-enhancing drugs in competitive sports.

As the suspension takes effect immediately, Khaybulaev will be sidelined for a significant period, raising questions about his future in the PFL and potential returns to the octagon. Fans are urged to stay tuned for updates on this developing story as reactions pour in from across the MMA landscape.

This incident underscores the ongoing battle against doping in sports and its impact on athletes’ careers, making it a crucial moment for the PFL and its fighters.