Movlid Khaybulaev, a prominent fighter from Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team, has been stripped of his 2025 PFL Featherweight title after failing a doping test. Anti-doping authorities continue their crackdown on performance-enhancing drug use across all levels of MMA, from regional competitors to world-class athletes. Khaybulaev, who had remained undefeated with a 26-fight professional record, became the latest high-profile Russian fighter to face sanctions.
Khaybulaev had secured his PFL Featherweight title by defeating Jesus Pinedo during the 2025 World Tournament Finals in August. Prior to that, he achieved victories over fighters such as Brendan Loughnane, Jeremy Kennedy, and Pinedo. Throughout his career, Khaybulaev had built a reputation as a disciplined grappler with a gritty approach, making him one of the most respected Russian fighters in the sport.
USADA announcement
On December 17, 2025, USADA released a statement confirming that Khaybulaev tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) following his win over Pinedo.
“Khaybulaev, 35, tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) as the result of an in-competition sample collected at the PFL World Tournament Finals on August 1, 2025. rEPO is prohibited at all times in the class of Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances, and Mimetics under the PFL Anti-Doping Policy (ADP) and PFL Prohibited List.
Under Section 10.2 of the applicable version of the PFL ADP, the default period of ineligibility for the use of a prohibited substance is six months but can be increased up to a year in certain circumstances. Here, Khaybulaev received the maximum one-year period of ineligibility because of the nature of the substance and the timing of his positive test.
Khaybulaev’s one-year period of ineligibility began on August 1, 2025, the date his positive sample was collected.”
EPO is a synthetic hormone that boosts red blood cell production, enhancing oxygen delivery to muscles and endurance. However, it carries serious health risks, including blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, and sudden death. The substance is strictly banned in professional sports.
PFL statement and consequences
The Professional Fighters League confirmed that the violation led to Khaybulaev being disqualified from the 2025 World Tournament.
“Pursuant to PFL Rules and Regulations, Khaybulaev has been disqualified from the 2025 PFL World Tournament. As a result of the disqualification under PFL rules, Khaybulaev forfeits the distinction of 2025 PFL Featherweight Tournament Champion, the championship belt, and all associated bonus awards.
The PFL maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward the use of performance-enhancing substances and remains fully committed to the highest standards of fair competition, athlete safety, and integrity in sport.”
Khaybulaev is not the first of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s associates to face doping scrutiny. Zubaira Tukhugov, involved in the UFC 229 post-fight brawl, received a two-year suspension in 2016 for Ostarine. Usman Nurmagomedov, another teammate, served a six-month ban and vacated his PFL title in 2023 due to a doping violation, although he later reclaimed it. Islam Makhachev, widely regarded as one of the best active fighters and closely linked to the Nurmagomedovs, was flagged by USADA years ago but ultimately cleared.
Khaybulaev, who holds a professional record of 24-0-1, had been a PFL mainstay for several years, previously winning the Featherweight title in 2021 against Chris Wade. After taking a season off in 2022 and returning in 2023 outside the tournament, he rejoined the 2025 World Tournament, defeating Jeremy Kennedy, Tae Kyun Kim, and Jesus Pinedo. These results, however, are now invalidated following the doping finding.
