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Bellator Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov has broken his silence regarding his suspension by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) following a failed drug test. The controversy arose after Nurmagomedov tested positive for an undisclosed prohibited substance in October 2023, leading to his successful Bellator 300 title defense over Brent Primus being overturned to a no-contest. The CSAC handed Nurmagomedov a six-month suspension and imposed a $50,000 fine. Despite the penalty, both parties acknowledged that the substance was prescribed by a physician for therapeutic purposes.
Nurmagomedov has now spoken out, firmly maintaining his innocence and clarifying the nature of the banned substance. "It was medication, and this was like nothing," Nurmagomedov said in an interview with MMA Junkie, addressing the rumors and accusations surrounding the situation. He emphasized that the substance in question was not a steroid, a crucial point that influenced the length of his suspension.
"We have a deal with the California Commission, and I cannot tell the media or someone, but it was medication," Nurmagomedov explained. "If it were a steroid, they have to say, ‘This was a steroid.’ And they have to give me more time for suspension. They have to give me like one year, two years, and we have examples from other guys."
The lightweight champion has also made it clear that he is unbothered by critics who have speculated about the possibility of steroid use. Nurmagomedov dismissed these accusations as baseless and a product of envy from those who can't compete with his success.
"I don’t care (about the critics), I’m good,” he stated. “I didn’t do nothing, I know who I am, I never did something like steroids or something like that. People only talk about this because they cannot win (against) us, and they have to say something, and they chose this way, ‘Oh, this guy do steroids.’ OK, guys. You can talk whatever you want, but who cares?”
Looking ahead, Nurmagomedov is set to return to action, where he will defend his lightweight title against Alexandr Shabliy at the Bellator Champions Series: San Diego on September 7th. With this upcoming fight, Nurmagomedov aims to put the controversy behind him and focus on maintaining his reign as the Bellator lightweight champion.
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