USADA flagged UFC heavyweight Daniel Omielanczuk for a failed drug test due to the presence of Meldonium in his system. However, he will not be pulled from his fight at UFC Fight Night 91 in South Dakota later this month.
WADA has changed its position with the drug Meldonium and while athletes might be punished at a later date some penalties may be stayed. USADA has lifted the provisional suspension of Islam Makhachev. The is now eligible for competition. Makhachev was pulled from his fight against Drew Dober at UFC on Fox 19 earlier this year.
Omielanczuk, a Polish heavyweight, is scheduled to fight Alexy Oleinik on July 13th as part of the card in South Dakota.
Payout Perspective:
Due to the uncertainty with Meldonium, we see USADA needing to pull back on its anti-doping policy and the UFC allowing fighters to remain active. There is controversy over the lack of clear scientific information over secretion times with the drug. Notably, this was the same drug that was added to the banned list on January 1 of this year and tennis star Maria Sharapova was flagged for the drug.
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