Rising UFC star Benoit Saint-Denis has fired off a shocking accusation at Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion, and Saint-Denis, who is the number 12-ranked UFC lightweight, thinks the Russian bruiser is juicing. Makhachev is a long-time friend and training partner of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov. Saint-Denis also took aim at the UFC Hall of Famer.
Benoit Saint-Denis Hurls PED Accusation At Islam Makhachev & Khabib Nurmagomedov
During an interview with Le Figaro, Benoit Saint-Denis brought up Islam Makhachev’s past USADA flag for meldonium. He accused Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov of using PEDs (translated through DeepL).
“When it comes to the Nurmagomedov family, for example, I have no doubts: they’re loaded like mules. They’re clever in the way they dope, but they know how to do it very well. Makhachev, for example, was caught using meldonium. It’s a product that led to the entire Russian federation being sanctioned and withdrawn from the 2016 Olympic Games. The current UFC lightweight champion was caught in 2016!”
Pour Benoît Saint-Denis, le dopage n'est pas compatible avec ses valeurs et sa foi. ❌🙏 pic.twitter.com/Omp662X96d
— La Sueur (@LaSueur_off) December 12, 2023
It’s important to note that USADA ruled that Makhachev did no wrong, saying the red flag was caused by a procedure the UFC champion underwent back in late 2014. Following the procedure, Makhachev was prescribed meldonium. USADA found that Makhachev stopped taking the fatty acid oxidation inhibitor prior to the date it was put on the WADA banned substances list.
Saint-Denis may not be near the top of the heap at lightweight yet, but he has been rising up the ranks in impressive fashion. He is riding a five-fight winning streak and is coming off his most impressive performance to date.
Saint-Denis scored a first-round head kick knockout victory over Matt Frevola on the main card of UFC 295 back in November. The win earned Saint-Denis his second “Performance of the Night” bonus and his third UFC fight night bonus.
