When you look at the career of Islam Makhachev, one of the few blotches appears in 2016 — he was provisionally suspended by USADA for a potential anti-doping violation. But the story is more nuanced than “drug cheat” or “banished fighter.” Let’s walk through what happened, why it happened, how it was resolved, and what it means for his legacy.
The Incident: Positive Test for Meldonium
In April 2016, Makhachev was scheduled to fight Drew Dober at UFC on FOX 19. However, the day before the event, he was notified of a potential anti-doping policy violation, the result of a test showing the presence of Meldonium in his system.
Meldonium had been added to the banned substance list on January 1, 2016 by the World Anti‑Doping Agency (WADA). So when Makhachev’s sample was flagged, the rules triggered an automatic provisional suspension and investigation.
The Explanation: Medical Use + Timing
Rather than it being a straightforward abuse case, Makhachev and his team offered a medical explanation. He had undergone a radio-frequency ablation procedure for frequent ventricular arrhythmia (a heart condition) in late 2015, after which the medication (meldonium) was prescribed to him for therapeutic reasons.
Because the drug became banned only three months earlier, and because the detected concentration in Makhachev’s sample was “extremely low,” USADA determined that the timeline and circumstances did not reflect “intentional performance-enhancement.” In July 2016, USADA lifted his provisional suspension.
Resolution & Outcome
The key points of the resolution:
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Makhachev’s fight with Dober was cancelled due to the test result and provisional suspension.
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On July 1, 2016, USADA officially lifted the provisional suspension, allowing him to return to competition while the investigation continued.
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Ultimately, USADA cleared him of further sanction or long-term ban, as they accepted the explanation and circumstances.
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His career continued; the incident did not derail his rise towards the title.
What It Means: Legacy, Perception & Betting Implications
Legacy and public perception
While many fighters who test positive face long suspensions or reputational damage, Makhachev’s case was unique. Because it was resolved relatively quickly and tied to a medical procedure and timing of the ban list, it does not carry the same stigma as a clear deliberate doping case.
That said, any positive test carries baggage. Some fans and analysts occasionally reference it when discussing him, but among his peers and in the MMA media his reputation remains strong.
For bettors and fight-analysis
If you are analyzing Makhachev for betting or match-up context, the key takeaway is: this suspension was a resolved medical/technical issue, not a pattern of abuse or performance-enhancement. It doesn’t seem to affect his performance or cardio today. So from a betting or risk assessment perspective, it’s more a footnote than a red flag.
Final Thoughts
So, why did Islam Makhachev get suspended?
He tested positive for meldonium in early 2016, which triggered a USADA provisional suspension. But thanks to medical documentation, low concentration, and timing (the drug was newly banned), the suspension was lifted and no further penalty followed.
